CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel Changes and New Influenza Vaccine Recommendations
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has formed a new vaccine panel, while federal recommendations for annual flu shots now exclude thimerosal as a preservative.
RFK Jr. vaccine panel nixes thimerosal in flu shots
Washington Examiner
RFK Jr.'s ACIP to review 'cumulative effects' of childhood vaccines
Washington Examiner
Kennedy’s new vaccine advisers meet for first time
Boston Herald
Newly appointed member withdraws form vaccine safety panel
Washington Examiner
Kennedy's new vaccine advisers meet for first time
Associated Press
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Overview
- Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced the CDC's 17-member vaccine advisory panel with a seven-member group critical of vaccines.
- The new panel will review immunization schedules for children, raising public health concerns about vaccine trust and safety.
- A federal panel recommends that all Americans over six months old receive an annual influenza vaccine without preservatives like thimerosal.
- Despite thimerosal's use in multi-dose vials, studies show no link to autism or neurological effects, addressing public concerns.
- The CDC's ACIP committee typically determines vaccination recommendations, emphasizing the importance of the new panel's decisions on public health.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the CDC's vaccine committee discussions around thimerosal as contentious, highlighting concerns from public health experts and pediatric organizations. Implicit bias suggests skepticism towards the committee's credibility, while emphasizing the scientific consensus against thimerosal's link to autism. The narrative reflects anxiety over potential vaccine hesitancy.
"The committee Thursday voted by a majority — five in favor, two against — to recommend a shot for newborns, branded as Enflonsia by Merck, adding another option to the already approved immunizations."
CBS News"Some public health experts contend the thimerosal discussion will unnecessarily raise doubt in vaccines while possibly also making them more expensive and harder to get this fall."
ABC News"Kennedy's choices for the new vaccine advisory panel - including vaccine sceptics - has raised concerns from public health experts."
BBC News"The meeting overall was packed with anti-vaccine talking points and arguments from the new panel members, confirming public health experts' fears that the once-revered panel is now critically corrupted and that Kennedy's controversial picks will only work to fulfill his long-standing anti-vaccine agenda."
ARS Technica"Many experts are concerned the panel's actions will sow doubt in vaccines that have been deemed safe and effective."
USA TODAY"The committee of independent experts, which offers recommendations to the CDC on the nation's vaccine schedule and immunization policy, has recently become a flashpoint."
NPR"The newly appointed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices plans to review the childhood vaccination schedule and scrutinize vaccines that have been approved for decades, fueling concerns that the panel may consider changes to long-standing vaccine recommendations."
NBC News"The public health community has raised concerns about how the panel may influence decisions going forward."
Roll Call"The highly unusual moves prompted a last-minute plea from a prominent Republican senator to delay this week’s meeting."
ABC News"The highly unusual moves prompted a last-minute plea from a prominent Republican senator to delay this week’s meeting."
Associated Press"At a time when we need informed guidance, we are instead cultivating an environment where political agendas eclipse scientific truth."
USA TODAY"The runup to this week's meeting has been chaotic and controversial, according to several current and former CDC staffers who were involved in preparing for it."
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FAQ
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced the CDC's 17-member vaccine advisory panel with a seven-member group critical of vaccines to review immunization schedules and vaccine safety, reflecting a shift towards more vaccine skepticism within the advisory body.
The federal panel now recommends that all Americans over six months old receive an annual influenza vaccine that excludes thimerosal as a preservative, addressing public concerns despite studies showing no link to autism or neurological effects.
There are public health concerns that the new panel's review of immunization schedules, including cumulative vaccine effects on children and adolescents, could undermine vaccine trust and safety, especially as some members are vaccine skeptics.
The AAP quickly pushed back against plans to reconsider hepatitis B vaccination for newborns, stating that ignoring the success of vaccination programs or not vaccinating newborns could be unscientific and dangerous due to the risk of deadly virus transmission at birth.
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