The advisory committee appointed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recommended that adults 65 and older receive Covid shots only after discussing benefits and risks with a healthcare provider, but some experts say this approach may harm public health. The committee also voted to postpone a vote on a vaccine for hepatitis B, citing concerns over safety and effectiveness. The recommendations were less restrictive than expected but still limit access to the vaccines in certain areas.
The panel’s decision was met with criticism from public health experts, who argue that it may lead to preventable deaths due to lack of access to vaccines. “There will be preventable deaths that result from these decisions,” said Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos. The committee’s chairman, Martin Kulldorff, defended the approach, saying it allows for a more nuanced discussion between patients and healthcare providers.
The decision was not entirely surprising, given many committee members’ public opposition to Covid vaccines or vaccine mandates. However, some experts were taken aback by the level of personal attacks during the meeting, including Dr. Fiona Havers accusing another panelist of speaking “disdainfully” to a respected scientist.
Overall, the committee’s recommendations and decisions have raised concerns about the effectiveness and safety of Covid vaccines, as well as the impact on public health policy.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/health/cdc-vaccines-mmrv-hepatitis-b.html