Mass. leaders criticize 'dangerous' hepatitis B vaccine guidelines

BOSTON — Bay State leaders are criticizing a decision by federal health officials to end the decades-long recommendation that babies get a hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of being born.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which provides recommendations to the health agency, voted 8-3 Friday to end the federal government’s longstanding policy on the vaccine.