A meeting of the US vaccine advisory panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), scheduled for late February has been postponed. The postponement comes as the panel faces a legal challenge from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which questions its legitimacy. The meeting is now expected in March, though no specific date has been set.
The ACIP provides guidance on vaccine recommendations for children and adults in the US, influencing insurance coverage, school vaccination requirements, and physician advice. The delay coincides with health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's efforts to reshape federal vaccination policy, including removing broad recommendations for six routine childhood immunizations and increasing support for vaccine exemptions.
Last year, Kennedy removed and replaced all ACIP members. Several new appointees have expressed concerns about rare vaccine side effects, contrasting with evidence supporting vaccine benefits. The panel also controversially ended the recommendation for universal infant hepatitis B vaccination.
Experts have raised safety concerns following these changes and the rise of the 'Make America healthy again' movement. The ACIP's top adviser recently stated that the committee is reconsidering all vaccine recommendations. Additionally, leadership changes at the CDC include NIH director Jay Bhattacharya becoming acting director.
