The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), under the leadership of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., held a tumultuous meeting on Friday, sparking controversy over proposed changes to COVID-19 vaccine access. The meeting, marked by procedural confusion, technical difficulties, and passionate disagreement among members and outside experts, saw the committee ultimately reject the most contentious proposal: requiring prescriptions for COVID-19 vaccines.
Instead, the ACIP recommended vaccination for adults 65 and older, and younger individuals following a 'shared decision-making' process. This approach encourages discussions between patients and clinicians about the risks and benefits of vaccination. For those under 65, the emphasis will be on the higher benefits for individuals at greater risk of severe illness. The committee also voted to include more detailed information on potential risks and uncertainties related to vaccine effectiveness in informational materials.
The recommendations, while not yet finalized pending approval from acting CDC director Jim O'Neill, highlight the politicized nature of vaccine policy under Kennedy's tenure. The meeting saw significant pushback from medical professionals who expressed concerns about the ACIP's process, the selective use of data, and a perceived erosion of the committee's integrity. Dr. Sandra Fryhofer of the American Medical Association voiced these concerns, highlighting the committee's deviation from established procedures and the potential impact on insurance coverage.
The debate over COVID-19 vaccination follows a recent vote restricting MMRV vaccine access for children under four, further underscoring Kennedy's efforts to reshape US vaccine policy. While proposals to remove the recommendation for infant Hepatitis B vaccination and to require prescriptions for COVID-19 vaccines failed, the meeting's contentious atmosphere underscores the ongoing tension surrounding vaccine access and policy.
The meeting itself was marked by a lack of transparency, with voting details withheld until the end by ACIP member Retsef Levi, an MIT professor, sparking criticism from several medical groups present. Professor Levi emphasized safety concerns surrounding the vaccines, stating that 'the public currently believes the narrative of safe and effective' is inaccurate. This controversy comes after the FDA's late August decision to limit approval of fall boosters to individuals 65 and older or those with high-risk medical conditions, causing considerable public confusion regarding vaccine availability.
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Originally published at: https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/09/19/nx-s1-5545946/cdc-covid-vaccine-acip-recommendations
