ACIP chair says he was by no means contacted by ousted CDC director about vaccine considerations
Throughout Thursday’s assembly, ACIP chair and biostatistician Martin Kulldorff famous the removing of CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez and different members of CDC management, together with former chief medical officer Dr. Debra Houry — each of whom testified a day prior about their removing.
“On vaccines, this committee is the important thing adviser to the CDC director, however throughout her quick tenure, she by no means contacted me because the ACIP chair about any of her questions or considerations, which might have been pure if she had such considerations, neither was I contacted by any of the three CDC leaders, who subsequently resigned,” he mentioned.
Kulldorff mentioned the CDC management left citing divergent opinions about vaccines, however Monarez mentioned she was additionally pressured by Kennedy to fireplace profession consultants with out trigger and approve vaccine suggestions with out scientific proof.
Kulldorff additionally mentioned the American Academy of Pediatrics ended its participation with the committee and ignored invites for open dialogue about vaccines.
Final month, for the primary time in 30 years, the AAP shared steering that differed from the U.S. authorities. The group mentioned it’s “strongly recommending” COVID-19 photographs for kids ages 6 months to 2 years previous. Underneath Kennedy, the CDC would not advocate COVID-19 photographs for wholesome youngsters of any age. As an alternative, it says mother and father could get their youngsters vaccinated in session with physicians.
ACIP members highlight vaccine views during meeting roll call: “I’m not anti-vax”
As the meeting kicked off Thursday with a roll call, ACIP members presented some of their career backgrounds — and some took the time to highlight their views on vaccines.
Dr. Evelyn Griffin, an obstetrician and gynecologist based in Louisiana who was added to the panel earlier this week, said she would call herself “pro-informed consent.”
“Because of medical ethics, for discussing risk benefits and alternatives with the patient,” she said. “During the pandemic, I myself was COVID vaccinated.”
An earlier Kennedy pick, Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, who is retired from the National Institutes of Health, said he has a “neutral mind towards vaccines” and is “approaching this with a scientific equity.”
Dr. James Pagano, described by Kennedy as a “strong advocate for evidence-based medicine,” disclosed that he’s been vaccinated numerous times against various diseases.
“So I’m not anti-vax,” he said. “I am pro-intelligent and informed utilization of these potentially life-saving medications in a manner that reflects the current state of the art regarding their benefits, the target populations, optimal dosing and timing and, yes, of their potential adverse effects in some people.”
Science, politics and the future of vaccination in spotlight
The ACIP is convening under an unaccustomed spotlight. The committee usually attracts little attention as it deliberates vaccine schedules and eligibility, but suddenly finds itself navigating political scrutiny, public skepticism and internal upheaval.
The stakes extend well beyond the technical details of dosing intervals or eligibility cutoffs. The panel’s decisions could reshape public trust in childhood vaccines, restrict access to vaccines through Medicaid and Medicare, and signal whether scientific consensus or political pressure will steer the nation’s vaccination strategy.
Current recommendations for hepatitis B and MMRV vaccines
For hepatitis B, the CDC currently recommends the first dose within 24 hours after birth. Universal infant vaccination became the norm in 1991 after data showed too many cases of hepatitis B among pregnant women were missed during prenatal care.
A universal birth dose acts as a safety net, protecting infants whose parent’s infection might have been missed. Before birth-dose policies, the U.S. saw an estimated 1,000 preventable infections in newborns each year.
To protect against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (or chickenpox), there are two options: a combo MMRV vaccine or separate MMR and varicella vaccines.
The CDC currently recommends a two-dose series beginning at age 12 to 15 months. However, the combination vaccine contains certain risks for younger age groups; specifically, the combo shot carries a slightly higher risk of fever-related “febrile” seizures when used as the first dose in young toddlers aged 12-23 months.
“For dose 1 in children age 12–47 months, it is recommended to administer MMR and varicella vaccines separately,” the CDC says, but adds MMRV may be used if preferred.
Former CDC director said she is “very nervous” about the upcoming childhood vaccine panel recommendations
While testifying at a Senate hearing Wednesday about why she was ousted as CDC director, Dr. Susan Monarez said she’s “very nervous” about the newly appointed ACIP members and what their recommendations might be.
“I know that the medical community has raised concerns about whether or not, again, they have the commensurate backgrounds to be able to understand the data, the evidence, and to evaluate it appropriately, but I certainly will be watching,” she said.
In another part of the hearing, Monarez said she refused to rubber-stamp vaccine recommendations without seeing the evidence behind them because she “built a career on scientific integrity.”
“My worst fear was that I would then be in a position of approving something that would reduce access to lifesaving vaccines to children and others who need them,” she said.
Monarez added she is not aware of any scientific evidence to support changing the childhood vaccination schedule for measles, chicken pox and hepatitis B.
Kennedy’s newly appointed ACIP members include allies and vaccine critics
After firing all 17 of the committee’s previous members in June, Kennedy named eight new advisers to the ACIP, one of whom later withdrew. They include several allies he has worked with closely over the years and some have a history as vaccine critics.
Kennedy appointed the new members directly, breaking with the past practice of agency officials vetting potential experts before sending them to the secretary for approval.
Just this week, the group gained five new members, the HHS announced. The latest additions include some who have questioned established medical research on immunizations and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Panel to consider COVID vaccine recommendations Friday as West Coast states move ahead
A day before the ACIP meetings kicked off, a group of four West Coast states recommended that all adults and children in those states who want them can receive the COVID-19 vaccine and other common shots.
The announcement was made in a joint statement from Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, all Democrats, saying they were putting safety before politics.
The guidance, which aligns with mainstream medical groups like the American Academy of Family Physicians and American Academy of Pediatrics, comes amid confusion over the CDC’s messaging on vaccinations.
