Friday, August 1, 2025
HomeMedicalThe ACIP, empowered by RFK Jr., is simply getting began on vaccines

The ACIP, empowered by RFK Jr., is simply getting began on vaccines

-


The assembly started with an airing of pandemic-era grievances and closed with a transfer to cement a decades-old, long-dismissed anti-vaccine speaking level into U.S. nationwide coverage

Within the intervening 13 hours got here technical points, forgotten procedures, and a public feedback session that includes a parade of alarmed specialists talking on behalf of well being organizations. At one level, a panelist requested workers from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention whether or not a “sample of broad-based power of some kind” could also be liable for a surge in flu deaths this yr. One other member, one of many few with public well being credentials, beseeched his colleagues to give up elevating what he and profession officers on the CDC take into account long-investigated and discarded considerations. 

“These are terribly outstanding merchandise, they’re protected, and they’re efficient, and I don’t suppose there’s any additional knowledge that must be offered,” mentioned Cody Meissner, a professor of pediatrics at Dartmouth Faculty’s Geisel College of Drugs, after one other panelist, a professor of administration, raised considerations about new medication to guard in opposition to respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. “The work group has spent an infinite period of time, the FDA has spent an infinite effort taking a look at security and efficacy. It’s merely not a problem right here.”

So went the primary assembly of well being secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a listening to in contrast to every other within the nerdy, august physique’s 64-year historical past. 

By the top, it was clear {that a} new period in U.S. vaccine coverage had arrived, one during which people with long-simmering objections to public well being conventions — and in some instances, ties to the conspiracy-ridden anti-vaccine motion — had been empowered to make vital well being suggestions for a complete nation. 

“We’ve got an ACIP. It’s simply not or certified or reliable ACIP,” mentioned Dorit Reiss, who research vaccine legislation and coverage on the College of California, San Francisco, in an electronic mail after the proceedings. “I feel at this level, it could be time to both disband the committee fully or legislate to protect its integrity.”

STAT+ Unique Story

STAT+





This text is unique to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this text — plus in-depth evaluation, newsletters, premium occasions, and information alerts.

Have already got an account? Log in

View All Plans

To learn the remainder of this story subscribe to STAT+.

Subscribe

Related articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Stay Connected

0FansLike
0FollowersFollow
0FollowersFollow
0SubscribersSubscribe

Latest posts