CINCINNATI — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel voted Dec. 5 to recommend not requiring the hepatitis B vaccine to be administered at birth for all newborns, instead suggesting some infants receive it later.

The hepatitis B vaccine prevents chronic infection of the liver. Over the last 30 years, hundreds of millions of doses have been administered 24 hours after birth.

"The CDC didn't say not to give the birth dose but it was a little more complicated, they recommended delaying for many infants the two month visit," said Dr. Grant Mussman, health commissioner for the Cincinnati Health Department.

CDC panel recommends delaying hepatitis B vaccine for some newborns

The CDC currently recommends that nearly all newborns receive the shot as part of routine care. T

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