Northeast states forming public health coalition after vaccine recommendation changes

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Northeast states are banding together to create a public health coalition.

It comes as a CDC advisory panel changes recommendations for childhood vaccines.

RELATED: Why getting vaccinated protects more than just you

The panel is newly appointed by Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., who is a vaccine critic.

On Thursday, the panel decided to separate the chickenpox vaccine from the widely used MMR combination vaccine used to fight the measles, mumps, and rubella.

RELATED: Kennedy's advisory panel recommends new restrictions on MMRV vaccines

Friday, the panel could decide if newborns should no longer receive the Hepatitis B vaccine.

The Academy of Pediatrics is blasting the decision, telling parents not to listen.

ALSO SEE: Why doctors say the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is still necessary

Pennsylvania and New Jersey has formally announced the Northeast Public Health Collaborative that will make its own vaccine recommendations.

Delaware has previously said it is joining a regional public health coalition.