December 4, 2025

CDC Panel Set for High-Stakes Vote on Newborn Hepatitis B Vaccine as Experts Warn of Rising Risks Key Points : The CDC’s vaccine advisory committee convened Thursday for a pivotal two-day meeting to reassess major elements of the U.S. childhood immunization schedule, including a controversial proposal to delay the long-recommended hepatitis B vaccine birth dose. The shot, routinely given within 24 hours of birth since 1991, has driven a 99% decline in hepatitis B infections among infants. Medical organizations warn that revising the recommendation could reverse decades of progress. Hepatitis B is highly infectious, often symptomless in adults, and easily transmitted from mothers or caregivers to newborns. Infants infected early face a 90% likelihood of developing chronic, lifelong disease. Research from the Vaccine Integrity Project suggests limiting vaccination only to infants of mothers who test positive could increase newborn infections by up to 76%. The meeting marks the third session of a newly reconstructed ACIP panel appointed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., fueling concerns among public health experts about rising vaccine skepticism and declining childhood immunization rates. Beyond hepatitis B, the committee is also reviewing the broader vaccine schedule, the combined MMR shot, and long-standing use of aluminum adjuvants — moves that experts say could create new vulnerabilities amid ongoing measles and pertussis outbreaks. A vote on the hepatitis B recommendation is expected on Thursday afternoon. CDC Panel Considers Major Change to Hepatitis B Schedule: Detailed Overview A major shift to the nation’s childhood immunization standards could unfold this week as the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets for a tense two-day review of vaccine recommendations — including a highly controversial proposal to delay the hepatitis B birth dose, a core protection given to U.S. newborns since 1991. The vote, expected Thursday afternoon, comes at a moment when vaccine confidence is already strained, public health leaders warn. The committee — now entirely appointed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — will debate whether the long-standing practice of vaccinating all newborns within 24 hours of birth should be replaced with a selective approach based only on maternal test results. Medical organizations say such a decision could reverse decades of progress. Why the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Matters Hepatitis B remains one of the most contagious and persistent viral infections in the world. The virus spreads through blood and bodily fluids, can survive on surfaces for days, and is frequently transmitted from mother to infant during birth — even when symptoms are absent. Babies infected at birth face a 90% chance of lifelong chronic hepatitis B Chronic infection dramatically raises the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer The vaccine given within 24 hours of birth is up to 90% effective at blocking mother-to-child transmission Completing the three-dose series provides 98% immunity, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Despite universal prenatal screening, CDC data show 16% of pregnant women are never tested — leaving thousands of infants vulnerable. The birth-dose recommendation has served as a critical safeguard, ensuring that missed diagnoses or documentation errors do not lead to preventable infections. Thanks to the strategy, hepatitis B cases in infants and young children have fallen 99% since the early 1990s. Medical Leaders Sound the Alarm Pediatricians and infectious disease experts have been unusually vocal ahead of the meeting. Dr. Sean O’Leary of the AAP—long regarded as one of the nation’s leading vaccine experts—warned that weakening the recommendation would “put children directly at risk for a lifelong, incurable disease.” “The hepatitis B vaccine has one of the most established safety records of any vaccine,” O’Leary said. “This is the seatbelt analogy — you put it on before the accident, not after.” Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican and physician, echoed that concern, noting that early vaccination has prevented “20,000 chronic hepatitis B cases” in the last 20 years. A Committee Under Scrutiny Since Secretary Kennedy replaced every ACIP member earlier this year, the panel has drawn sharp criticism from mainstream medical groups. September’s meeting was described as “chaotic” after members failed to complete a scheduled vote on the same issue. The newly appointed chair, Dr. Kirk Milhoan, is affiliated with groups that support COVID-19 treatments like ivermectin — contrary to FDA findings. The changes have led the AAP, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and a newly formed Vaccine Integrity Project to issue independent immunization guidance, a first in modern U.S. public health. Experts fear this week’s agenda signals the start of a broader effort to dismantle the traditional childhood vaccine schedule. What’s at Stake in the Vote The posted proposal suggests limiting the hepatitis B vaccine to: Infants born to mothers who test positive, and Individual decision-making for babies whose mothers test negative. Researchers say such a move would sharply increase infant infections.A new analysis from the Vaccine Integrity Project estimates newborn hepatitis B cases could rise to 76% under a selective strategy. Doctors warn that delaying vaccination even one month may be too late. Once a baby is infected early in life, the virus embeds in the liver and becomes almost impossible to eliminate. “If the mother or a caregiver is unknowingly infected, the window to prevent transmission closes fast,” said Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University. “By the time symptoms appear, the infection is already established.” Because the subsequent hepatitis B doses are included in combination vaccines, changing the birth-dose timing could also disrupt the broader vaccine schedule and lead to logistical complications for parents and providers. Larger Revisions to Childhood Vaccines Under Review Beyond hepatitis B, the committee is examining: • The timing of more than 30 childhood vaccines Experts worry that revisiting the schedule during active outbreaks of measles and pertussis could worsen declining vaccination rates. • Splitting the MMR vaccine into separate measles, mumps, and rubella shots Public health officials warn this would mean more appointments, more injections, and inevitably lower coverage, creating gaps in herd immunity. • Potential changes to vaccines containing

How to Watch December’s Cold Moon: The Last Supermoon of 2025   Key Points: ✅ December’s Cold Moon — the final supermoon of 2025 — will illuminate the night sky on Thursday, 4 December, offering skywatchers one last lunar spectacle before year’s end. The full Moon will rise in the northeastern sky around mid-afternoon, appearing brighter and larger than usual as it reaches perigee, the closest point in its orbit to Earth ✅ Moonrise will begin at 14:52 GMT in London, 14:29 in Edinburgh, 14:52 in Belfast, and 15:05 in Cardiff, with the Moon remaining visible until after 8 a.m. the following morning. As it rises, the bright lunar disk will form a celestial alignment with the Pleiades cluster, Aldebaran, Jupiter, and the winter constellation Orion. ✅ Cloud and rain may affect visibility early in the evening, but clearing skies across the UK are expected overnight, with mist and frost forming in some regions. ✅ Known traditionally as the Cold Moon, this full Moon marks the arrival of winter and the long nights preceding the solstice. The event also falls near anniversaries of NASA’s Apollo 8 and Apollo 17 missions and comes ahead of the upcoming Artemis II crewed lunar flyby in 2026.   Skywatchers Alert: December’s Cold Moon Will Be a Brilliant Supermoon   Skywatchers are in for a final celestial treat before the year ends. December’s Cold Moon — also the last supermoon of 2025 — will rise on Thursday, 4 December, offering one of the brightest and largest lunar displays of the year. This full Moon marks the third consecutive supermoon of 2025, a rare back-to-back lineup that won’t return until early 2026. Why This Month’s Full Moon Is a Supermoon A supermoon occurs when the Moon reaches perigee, the closest point in its orbit to Earth. When this moment aligns with the full Moon phase (known as syzygy, when the Sun, Earth, and Moon form a straight line), the lunar disk appears: Larger than usual Brighter in the night sky More visually striking near the horizon Although supermoons are not uncommon — typically 3 to 4 occur each year — having three in a row makes this celestial event particularly noteworthy. When and Where to See the Cold Moon The Cold Moon will rise on Thursday, 4 December, glowing in the northeastern sky. Moonrise Times: London: 14:52 GMT Edinburgh: 14:29 GMT Belfast: 14:52 GMT Cardiff: 15:05 GMT It will remain visible until between 08:00 and 09:00 the following morning, giving stargazers hours of darkness to enjoy the spectacle. What You’ll See in the Night Sky As the Cold Moon rises, it will create a beautiful alignment in the sky: A triangle with the Pleiades star cluster The bright star Aldebaran Jupiter shining nearby The iconic winter constellation Orion the Hunter This makes it an ideal night for both casual skywatchers and astrophotographers. Will the Skies Be Clear? A band of rain and cloud is expected to move eastward across parts of the UK on Thursday, affecting visibility into the early evening — especially in Scotland and eastern England. Later in the night, skies are expected to clear, though mist and fog may form due to colder temperatures. Frost is also likely in some locations. Checking your local forecast will help determine the best viewing window. Why December’s Full Moon Is Called the “Cold Moon” Full Moon names come from ancient seasonal traditions, long predating the Gregorian calendar. December’s Moon is known as the Cold Moon, marking winter’s arrival and the long nights ahead. Other traditional names for the December full Moon include: Long Night Moon Moon Before Yule Snow Moon (Cherokee Nation) Winter Maker Moon (Abenaki tribe) This Cold Moon occurs just weeks before the winter solstice on 21 December, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. A Supermoon with a Historic Connection December’s full Moon aligns closely with major anniversaries of NASA’s Apollo missions: Apollo 8 Launched 21 December 1968, it carried the first astronauts to orbit the Moon and delivered the iconic Christmas Eve broadcast from lunar orbit. Apollo 17 Launched on 7 December 1972, the last mission to land humans on the Moon. NASA scientist Noah Petro, project scientist for the Artemis III mission, says the Cold Moon is a reminder of past lunar exploration — and a preview of what comes next. Looking Ahead to Artemis The Cold Moon arrives just months before the expected launch of Artemis II, scheduled for February–April 2026. This mission will send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon — the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years. Petro encourages skywatchers:“Go out and look at the Moon. Think about Apollo, and then imagine we’re only two full Moons away from sending humans back toward the lunar surface.” Watch the Cold Moon Online If Skies Are Cloudy Even if the weather blocks your view, you can still enjoy the supermoon through livestreams. 🌕 Virtual Telescope Project — Live from Italy Dec 4 at 3 p.m. EST (20:00 GMT)Astrophysicist Gianluca Masi will stream real-time telescopic views of the Cold Moon rising over Italy, along with a curated gallery of lunar photographs. 🌕 Griffith Observatory — Live from Los Angeles Dec 5 at 8:27 p.m. EST (01:27 GMT, Dec 6)This livestream captures the Moon rising over the eastern horizon from Mount Hollywood, offering one of the most iconic Moonrise views in the world. Why This Supermoon Is Extra Special December’s Cold Moon also rises during the final phase of a Major Lunar Standstill, a rare 18.6-year orbital cycle when the Moon’s path reaches extreme angles. This makes December’s supermoon: Rise farther north on the horizon Climb higher in the sky Appear more dramatically positioned than usual The result is one of the year’s most photogenic lunar events. How to Make the Most of the Cold Moon For the best experience, try: Viewing from an open area with a clear eastern horizon Using binoculars or a telescope for crater detail Taking photos during