With ardent anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. within the nation’s prime well being place, use of a long-approved vaccine in opposition to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella/chickenpox (MMRV) in addition to flu pictures that embody the preservative thimerosal will now be reevaluated, placing their future availability and use in query. The event seemingly continues to vindicate well being consultants’ worst fears that, as well being secretary, Kennedy would assault and dismantle the federal authorities’s scientifically rigorous, evidence-based vaccine suggestions.
Discussions of the 2 sorts of vaccines now seem on the agenda of a gathering for the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) scheduled for 2 days subsequent week (June 25 and 26).
ACIP’s overhaul
On June 9, Kennedy summarily fired all 17 members of ACIP, who had been rigorously vetted—esteemed scientists and clinicians within the fields of immunology, epidemiology, pediatrics, obstetrics, inner and household medication, geriatrics, infectious ailments, and public well being. Two days later, Kennedy put in eight new members, many with doubtful {qualifications} and a number of other recognized to carry anti-vaccine views.
Earlier than ACIP was upended by Kennedy, the committee deliberate to fulfill for 3 days, from June 25 to 27, to debate a big selection of vaccines, together with these in opposition to anthrax, chikungunya, COVID-19, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Human papillomavirus (HPV), influenza, Lyme illness, meningococcal illness, pneumococcal illness, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The committee was going to vote on suggestions for using COVID-19 vaccines, the HPV vaccine, influenza vaccines, the meningococcal vaccine, RSV vaccines for adults, and the RSV vaccine for maternal and pediatric populations.
Within the new agenda, dialogue on vaccines in opposition to CMV, HPV, Lyme illness, meningococcal illness, and pneumococcal illness has been dropped. So have votes for COVID-19 vaccines, HPV, meningococcal vaccines, and RSV vaccines for adults. As an alternative, the brand new ACIP will now focus on MMRV and influenza vaccines containing thimerosal. It is going to solely vote on two issues: RSV vaccines for youngsters and pregnant individuals, and influenza vaccines, together with thimerosal-containing flu vaccines.
