In brief
In a significant shift, the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has voted to stop recommending the Covid-19 vaccine for adults, which was previously endorsed as an annual measure against Covid-19. This decision allows adults to choose whether to get vaccinated after consulting their health providers. The vote comes in the wake of criticism regarding changes instigated by Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr., who has previously expressed skepticism about vaccine efficacy. The panel also discussed other vaccination recommendations but faced contention regarding the safety and necessity of certain vaccines, leading to confusion among healthcare providers and the public.
A key US vaccine advisory committee has voted to stop recommending all adults get the Covid-19 vaccine, which has until now been officially approved for most Americans annually since the pandemic.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (Acip) also narrowly voted against advocating prescriptions for the Covid vaccine.
In two days of meetings, Acip changed its recommendations on the combined measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (MMRV) vaccine, and delayed plans for a vote on the hepatitis B vaccine.
Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a vaccine sceptic, fired all 17 members of the committee in June and handpicked their successors, sparking uproar in the medical community.
The panel spent Friday debating the Covid-19 vaccine, which has been a routine recommendation, like the yearly flu jab.
Acip voted to abandon broad support for recommending the jab, including for high-risk populations like people aged over 65. Instead, it decided individuals should make their own decision after talking with a medical professional.
In May, the federal government stopped recommending Covid-19 vaccines for healthy pregnant women and children.
During the debate, Dr Robert Malone, an ally of Kennedy's, argued that there was no evidence that the Covid vaccine prevented serious infection, while Dr Cody Meissner, formerly with the FDA's vaccines panel, defended the jab's effectiveness.
Confusion also arose about the MMRV vaccine recommendations, with the panel voting to endorse two separate jabs instead of the combined shot for younger children.
The American Medical Association criticized the new recommendations for leaving parents confused about childhood vaccinations.
The panel also delayed a vote regarding the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns, further raising concerns about the current leadership's dedication to established vaccine protocols.
Robert F Kennedy Jr. has faced criticism for his approach to vaccination policies and has made significant changes to the CDC's advisory structure since taking office.
