RFK Jr.-Appointed CDC Panel Revises US COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), recently restructured by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with members skeptical of vaccines, voted to shift COVID-19 vaccine guidance from a broad recommendation to a shared clinical decision-making approach. This means individuals are now advised to consult healthcare providers before getting vaccinated, rather than receiving universal recommendations, although COVID-19 vaccines remain covered by health insurance programs like Medicaid and Medicare. The committee also considered but ultimately rejected a prescription requirement for COVID-19 vaccines, which would have added further access barriers. These changes reflect a more restrictive stance compared to past policy, aligning with the FDA's narrowing of vaccine approval to older adults and those with underlying conditions. The panel's actions have sparked concern among medical professionals and organizations, who warn that the committee's approach may sow distrust in vaccines and increase public confusion. Additionally, the panel made significant alterations to other vaccine recommendations, including those for the MMRV combination shot and the hepatitis B vaccine, signaling broader shifts in US vaccination policy under Kennedy's leadership.