ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A panel that makes recommendations on vaccines to the nation’s health leaders suggested changing a policy that’s been in place for over 30 years.

The change centers around the vaccination for hepatitis B, a dangerous liver disease transmitted sexually or through exchange of bodily fluids. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control tracked over 17,000 newly reported chronic cases of hepatitis B, according to their most recent data from 2023.

Since 1991, it’s been recommended that parents give their newborn infants the first of three doses the day they’re born.

On Friday, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Policy (ACIP) recommended waiting two months, and possibly forgoing the second and third dose altogether, bucking over 30 years of standing hep-B

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