ACIP panel given new guidance to shape vaccine recommendations
In March, a federal judge ruled that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) overstepped its authority by changing the vaccine schedule for pediatric patients, a process that is supposed to be based on scientific rigor instead of politics.
The claims that HHS—and its sub-agency the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were not acting on the best new evidence came from a coalition of plaintiffs representing medical professionals, led by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
In a 45-page ruling outlining the temporary injunction, Judge Brian Murphy of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ultimately sided with their challenge of changes to CDC vaccine recommendations, which included removing seven illnesses from the schedule, specifically dengue fever, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), two types of bacterial meningitis, and hepatitis A and B.
This brought the number of recommended childhood vaccines down to 11, from 18 where they stood prior to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., taking office.
The court ruling effectively shut down operations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a group of medical professionals put in place by Kennedy, who provide recommendations to the CDC.
To comply with the order, ACIP seems to be changing its tune. In a new charter released on April 8, the committee is changing its focus from full schedule recommendations to safety. This includes both a risk analysis on the necessity of inoculations as well as warnings on potential side effects.
Specifically, the panel would be seeking to identify the “gaps in vaccine safety research, including adverse effects following vaccination.” This implies, of course, the group is not against any specific vaccine—and as such is not making any changes to the pediatric recommendation, such as what inoculations to exclude.
Under the new guidance, ACIP will be tasked with more oversight of vaccine technologies and immunizations deemed voluntary, such as mRNA shots used for COVID-19 and the flu.
The members of the ACIP committee will not change, and it includes prominent skeptics of vaccines—especially those related to COVID that utilize mRNA as opposed to traditional inert virus formulas.
HHS denies policy shift
In a statement to CNN, a spokesperson for HHS said the shift in ACIP’s charter is nothing more than a product of “routine statutory requirements” that “do not signal any broader policy shift.”
There are some tangible changes though to the ACIP rules. The organization has been directed to look at the "cumulative effects” of any innovation, that includes weighing benefits against risks.
“Committee deliberations on use of vaccines to control disease in the U.S. shall include consideration of disease epidemiology and burden of disease, vaccine risks and benefits, vaccine efficacy and effectiveness, the quality of evidence reviewed, economic analyses, and implementation issues,” the rulebook reads.
It also nuances recommendations beyond a stamp of approval or withdrawal of recommendation.
“Key responsibilities in developing committee recommendations can be organized into vaccine recommendations, vaccine safety and monitoring, emerging vaccines and technology, global health practices, and public engagement and transparency as part of ACIP public meetings,” the charter adds.
The new full set of rules is available by clicking here.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.