# Kennedy's vaccine plan risks hepatitis B surge

> Health Secretary Kennedy's hepatitis B vaccine changes could spike infections by 83% in teens.
- Title: Kennedy's vaccine plan risks hepatitis B surge | Shortify
- Summary: Health Secretary Kennedy's hepatitis B vaccine changes could spike infections by 83% in teens. A study shows Kennedy's proposed vaccine schedule would…
- Keywords: robert f. kennedy jr, hepatitis b, vaccine schedule, chronic infections, massachusetts general hospital, annals of internal medicine, news, local, Kennedy's, vaccine, plan, risks
- Source: The Boston Globe — https://bostonglobe.com/2026/10/19/nation/hepatitis-surge-kennedy-vaccine-plan
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: robert f. kennedy jr, hepatitis b, vaccine schedule, chronic infections, massachusetts general hospital, annals of internal medicine, news, local
## Vaccine policy change
Ending newborn hepatitis b vaccinations would increase chronic infections by 19% among children by age 20.
## Study findings
Immunizing babies at 2 months instead of birth would raise chronic hepatitis b cases to 303 per year from 255.
## Shared decision policy
A shared decision-making approach would increase chronic infections by 83% to 467 cases annually.
## Key takeaway

A study shows Kennedy's proposed vaccine schedule would increase chronic hepatitis B infections by 83% among children.