US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has questioned the safety of the vaccine and downplayed the risk of contracting the virus.

Public health experts warn any delay to the newborn dose of the hepatitis B vaccine could threaten decades of progress.

The current recommendation for babies to receive a hepatitis B shot within 24 hours of birth is credited with driving down infections in kids by 99%.

US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has questioned the safety of the vaccine and downplayed the risk of contracting the virus.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine panel on Thursday delayed a vote on the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns.

An influential CDC panel may recommend significant delays in hepatitis B vaccinations for children. Here's what could happen.

Public health officials warned that the decision by advisers picked by RFK Jr. will result in more infants being infected and experiencing lifelong liver diseases.

The group said babies born to mothers who don't have the virus should make "individual-based" decisions.

Some public health experts expressed concerns the recommendation could lead to an increase in hepatitis B infections in babies.