Meet the Press Meet the Press NOW — December 5
Dec 5, 2025
Dr. Richard Besser, the former acting CDC director and public health expert, presents compelling insights on the recent CDC decision to end routine hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns. He raises alarms about potential future outbreaks and the implications for public trust in the CDC. The conversation also touches on the importance of shared decision-making in public health and critiques the procedural chaos surrounding the advisory panel's vote, emphasizing the need for clarity and credibility in health guidelines.
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Pentagon Doubles Down On Boat Strikes
- The Pentagon continues lethal strikes on suspected narco-trafficking boats and says it will not slow down.
- Lawmakers and reporters disagree sharply on legality and transparency, splitting largely along party lines.
Strikes Linked To Broader White House Strategy
- The White House framed these strikes as part of an America First security posture tied to migration and trafficking.
- Officials portray Secretary Hegseth as executing a white house-backed, politically protected strategy.
CDC Panel Votes Against Longstanding Birth Dose
- ACIP voted to end the universal newborn hepatitis B within 24 hours recommendation amid internal confusion and delays.
- The panel's makeover by HHS Secretary Kennedy and non-scientist presenters alarm public health experts.