A newly constituted federal vaccine advisory committee, heavily influenced by the appointments of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has issued a recommendation to delay the administration of the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella) combination vaccine until age four. This 8-3 vote has ignited significant controversy within the medical community. The rationale cited for the delay is a slightly increased risk of febrile seizures in children aged 12 to 23 months after receiving the MMRV vaccine. While experts acknowledge this increased risk, they emphasize that febrile seizures, though frightening to parents, are typically short-lived and harmless. They also express concern that this recommendation could lead to decreased MMR and rubella vaccination rates, potentially resulting in outbreaks of these dangerous diseases.
The decision comes amidst a broader shift in vaccine policy under Kennedy's leadership. He has replaced the entire previous Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) with new members, several of whom have publicly questioned vaccine efficacy or opposed public health measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kennedy claims this "clean sweep" is necessary to restore public trust in vaccine science, a claim met with skepticism by many health professionals. The committee's deliberations regarding the MMRV and hepatitis B vaccines did not rely on any new scientific data, leading some members and outside medical experts to express bewilderment.
Critics point out that the risk of febrile seizures associated with the MMRV vaccine has been known for years. The CDC already advises healthcare providers to discuss the risk with parents, and many parents currently opt for separate MMR and varicella vaccines. The current recommendation allows for parental choice. Experts warn that removing the MMRV option could undermine parental autonomy and negatively impact vaccination rates. The recommendation to delay the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine until one month of age also raised concerns, as the World Health Organization recommends a universal birth dose due to the risk of perinatal transmission. This decision contradicts WHO recommendations and could have significant negative implications.
The decision to maintain MMRV vaccine coverage under the Vaccines for Children program despite recommending the delay highlights the internal inconsistencies and the potential for unintended consequences of this recommendation. The long-term impact on vaccination rates, public health, and insurance coverage remains to be seen, underscoring the significant controversy surrounding this controversial panel's decision.
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Originally published at: https://www.wired.com/story/vaccine-panel-stacked-by-rfk-jr-recommends-delaying-mmrv-immunization/
