British babies could be routinely vaccinated against Hepatitis B, a move that could anger parents concerned about the side-effects of the injections.
Government health experts are considering whether to add the vaccine to the immunizations already given to children at eight weeks. This would create a six-in-one vaccine designed to immunize against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and Hib disease.
But the move will likely cause corned among parents already worried that children are given too many vaccines, many of which have been linked to potentially harmful side-effects. Children in the UK are already given 32 vaccines before they even reach school age. The addition of the Hepatitis B immunization would bring the total of vaccines to 33.
A study has found those vaccinated against Hepatitis B are at increased risk of multiple sclerosis.