Universal infant and childhood vaccination against hepatitis B, recommended since 1991, has reduced by 99% the number of reported cases among U.S. children, adolescents, and young adults.

The ACIP is also expected Friday to be briefed on the childhood immunization schedule by a vaccine critic, drawing outrage from U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy. "The ACIP is totally discredited," Cassidy said.

A CDC vaccine advisory committee – whose members were replaced with appointees of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – is scheduled to take another series of votes that could reshape longstanding recommendations to protect babies against the cancer-causing hepatitis B virus.

ByHeart’s recall of all of its formula products amid a growing nationwide outbreak of infant botulism has shaken the trust of moms and caregivers – not just in ByHeart’s formula, but also in formula made by other brands.

The leader of the Association of Food and Drug Officials told Healthbeat that the FDA has been slow to share distribution lists for recalled ByHeart formula. “I’m not sure they recognize the sense of urgency,” he said.

At least 31 infants in 15 states who have been fed ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula have been hospitalized with suspected or confirmed infant botulism.

The formula recall is occurring as families are relying even more on donated products because of recent cuts to SNAP food aid.

Infants in at least 12 states who consumed ByHeart formula have been hospitalized. The formula is sold online by the company and through major retail stores including Amazon, Kroger, Walmart, Whole Foods, and Target.

Lori Freeman talks to Healthbeat about CDC disruptions, funding cuts, and what city and county officials can learn from red state colleagues.

The Tulane National Biomedical Research Center drew national attention in 2015 when a deadly foreign-strain of bacteria escaped one of the center’s high-containment laboratories.