This week's meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), significantly altered under the leadership of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is poised to make impactful decisions regarding the US childhood vaccination schedule. The meeting follows the controversial removal of all previous ACIP members and their replacement with Kennedy's appointees, raising concerns among public health experts.
One major focus is the updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. While the FDA has restricted approval to those 65 and older and high-risk individuals under 65, the ACIP could impose even stricter limitations. Internal documents suggest a potential increase of the age recommendation to 75, potentially hindering vaccine access for vulnerable populations. Furthermore, presentations on alleged risks of the vaccine for pregnant women and children, despite existing research refuting significant concerns, are scheduled.
Another crucial item on the agenda is the hepatitis B vaccine. Advocates express deep concern over potential changes to the current recommendation of administering the vaccine at birth, citing its proven success in drastically reducing infant infections. Opponents of the birth dose claim a profit motive, disregarding the overwhelming evidence of its efficacy in virtually eradicating perinatal transmission. Delaying the vaccination until age 4 could lead to a resurgence of preventable hepatitis B cases.
The MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella) vaccine is also under review. While the committee may revisit the known risks associated with administering the MMR and varicella vaccines simultaneously, any shift toward mandating separate shots could result in decreased vaccination rates due to inconvenience and decreased parental compliance.
The process itself has raised significant red flags. The removal of previous expert liaisons from the ACIP workgroups and the appointment of Dr. Retsef Levi, who has expressed unsubstantiated claims about vaccine harm, to head the COVID-19 workgroup, raise serious questions about scientific integrity and adherence to established processes. These unprecedented changes have been met with apprehension by leading scientists and public health officials, who fear a potential erosion of evidence-based decision-making and a subsequent decline in public health.
The outcome of this meeting will have far-reaching consequences for the nation's vaccination strategy, and the potential for unforeseen negative impacts on public health remains a significant concern.
---
Originally published at: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/17/health/five-things-to-watch-acip-cdc-vaccine-meeting
