Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine panel postponed a vote on delaying the first dose of the hepatitis B shot from birth to at least one month for most U.S. babies. The current recommendation stands for all infants to receive the vaccine within 24 hours of birth. Some advisors defended the birth dose recommendation, while others raised concerns about the safety of administering the vaccine so soon. Dr. Robert Malone, known for promoting Covid misinformation, brought the motion to postpone the vote.
The postponed vote affects only the timing of the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine series. The second dose would still be given one-to-two months after birth, with a third dose between six and 18 months of age. The panel also recommended hepatitis B testing for all pregnant women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must approve the committee’s recommendations.
The closely watched two-day meeting in Atlanta follows Kennedy appointing 12 new members to the committee, including vaccine critics. The hepatitis B shot has been crucial in reducing infections among children and teens. On Thursday, advisors clashed over the safety of the birth dose, with some advocating to keep it in place and others expressing concerns about potential harms.
The American Medical Association urged the panel to retain the birth dose recommendation, while Merck and GSK, manufacturers of hepatitis B vaccines, pushed back on the proposed change. The decision on delaying the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine series has significant implications for public health and disease prevention. 1. The stock market reached record highs today, with the S&P 500 closing at 4,500 points for the first time. This milestone was driven by positive earnings reports from major tech companies, including Amazon and Facebook.
2. In other news, the latest unemployment numbers show a decrease in jobless claims, with only 340,000 new claims filed last week. This is the lowest number since the start of the pandemic, indicating a positive trend in the labor market.
3. The FDA has granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, making it the first vaccine to receive this designation. This move is expected to boost vaccination rates and increase confidence in the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.
4. Tropical Storm Henri is expected to make landfall in the Northeast this weekend, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the region. Residents are urged to prepare for potential flooding and power outages as the storm approaches.
5. Finally, the Tokyo Olympics came to a close with the United States finishing at the top of the medal table. Team USA won a total of 113 medals, including 39 golds, in a strong showing across a variety of sports.
Read more at CNBC
1. The U.S. economy added 943,000 jobs in July, exceeding expectations. The unemployment rate dropped to 5.4% as hiring rebounded in sectors like leisure and hospitality.
2. Apple announced a new feature called “Child Safety” that will scan iPhones for child sexual abuse material. The move has sparked privacy concerns among users.
3. Pfizer and Moderna both reported strong quarterly earnings, with Pfizer raising its full-year sales forecast for its Covid-19 vaccine to $33.5 billion. Moderna also raised its 2021 sales forecast to $19.2 billion.: RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel postpones vote on hepatitis B shot for babies