CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is a National Embarrassment
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at the CDC today discussed COVID-19 vaccines and unanimously voted to recommend individual-based decision making about the vaccines for individuals 6 months and older. If signed off on by federal health officials, the recommendation should maintain insurance coverage for the shots. The ACIP also postponed a vote on removing a long-standing recommendation for universal administration at birth of the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine, and reversed a decision made on Thursday to allow the federal Vaccines for Children program to cover the cost of the combined measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) after 12 months if parents want it. Dr. Robert Steinbrook, director of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group, issued the following statement:
“Once an authoritative scientific federal advisory panel, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s handpicked ACIP has devolved into a chaotic platform for vaccine skepticism and confusion, and seems to be on a mission to undermine public trust in potentially life-saving immunizations.
“Reversing a decision about the MMRV vaccine made the day before underscores the problems that were evident at today’s meeting. Deemphasizing the importance of safety and effectiveness for vaccines in favor of other considerations such as ‘personalized risk-benefit analysis,’ as one panel member stated, is another. Fortunately, and despite the litany of criticisms of COVID-19 vaccines throughout the meeting, the panel’s recommendations should maintain access and coverage.
“Before the advisory panel’s next meeting in October, federal health officials could right the ship, although there is no expectation that they will. Otherwise, the public and medical professionals will have to rely on states, medical professional societies, and health insurers for sound vaccine guidance.”