Federal vaccine advisers are meeting this week to weigh significant changes to U.S. immunization policy at a moment of heightened scrutiny and political influence.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which guides the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine use, convenes Thursday and Friday to consider recommendations that could affect childhood and adult vaccine access nationwide. Their decisions shape what vaccines insurers must cover, what’s offered through the Vaccines for Children program, and in many cases, state vaccination requirements.
Among the most closely watched issues: who should receive the latest COVID-19 booster, whether hepatitis B shots remain recommended for all newborns, and possible new age limits for the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) combination vaccine.
The meeting comes as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces criticism for reshaping the committee, removing many career CDC staff, and excluding medical groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics from their longtime advisory roles. Former CDC director Susan Monarez, fired after less than a month on the job, told lawmakers this week she was pressured by Kennedy to pre-approve changes to the childhood vaccine schedule. She warned that recommendations may now lack rigorous scientific review.
Public health experts say the stakes are high. The FDA cleared updated COVID boosters for seniors and high-risk groups earlier this month, but CDC guidance has lagged, leaving uncertainty about access. Advocates worry that the committee could further restrict eligibility, complicating the vaccine rollout.
Another flashpoint is the hepatitis B vaccine, long recommended at birth to prevent liver disease and cancer. Cases dropped dramatically after universal vaccination began in 1991, but some committee members argue the shot could be delayed unless the mother tests positive. Physicians caution that maternal screening has historically failed to catch all infections, leaving infants vulnerable.
The panel will also revisit whether the MMRV combination shot should be limited to children over age 4, citing a small seizure risk in toddlers. Critics say narrowing access could undermine coverage against highly contagious diseases.
Source: NPR