A key vaccine advisory committee met for the first time under new US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a leading voice in the US anti-vaccine movement. The meeting discussed various vaccine policy questions, including an mpox vaccine and COVID-19 seasonality.
However, the conversation took a turn when a CDC official asked if the panel might consider changing vaccination recommendations to be more risk-based, focusing on people with chronic illnesses or higher-risk groups. Committee members expressed concerns about feasibility and implementation, as well as potential impacts on patients and insurance coverage.
The 15-member panel makes recommendations to the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which are often widely accepted by doctors and inform vaccination programs. However, it’s unclear who will decide whether to accept any new recommendations made during the meeting, given that the acting CDC director has recused herself from regular duties due to Senate confirmation proceedings.
The panel is scheduled to vote on three vaccine types, including one for meningitis, but it remains to be seen who will ultimately decide their fate. With Kennedy Jr at the helm, some are questioning whether his anti-vaccine views will influence the committee’s decisions.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-cdc-acip-kennedy-d9777cba947f5f52705af04d95e5f7fa