Or that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the newly appointed head of the CDC, has instituted a sea change in vaccine policy. He’s taken on some very controversial recommendations through his restructured Advisory Committee On Immunization Practices (ACIP). In early June, Kennedy terminated all 17 members of ACIP’s service. He then filled their places with direct appointees, seven of whom have next to no experience on vaccine related issues. This step has led to speculation about the competence and neutrality of this newly created committee.
Kennedy’s administration has focused on establishing its bona fides with public trust. The Department of Health and Human Services stated that the move aimed to “restore trust with Americans by removing risk while sustaining access to vaccines.” The ACIP has proved itself an agent of change by recommending that thimerosal be eliminated from influenza vaccine production. This amendment focuses on doses intended for children, pregnant people, and adults. In fact, three separate votes unanimously passed these recommendations—five in favor, one opposed, and one abstention.
Thimerosal, a mercury-containing vaccine preservative, has been a persistent point of contention in vaccine discourse. Kennedy, a longtime vaccine critic, expressed that this decision fulfills “a long-overdue promise to protect our most vulnerable populations from unnecessary mercury exposure.” Experts point out that taking thimerosal out of flu vaccines would be of negligible benefit. These days, just 4% of flu vaccine doses in the U.S. still use this preservative.
In addition to the unfavorable thimerosal recommendations, the ACIP under Kennedy made another critical decision. They rejected an idea that would require all Americans six months and older to get an annual flu vaccine. This decision marks a significant departure from the CDC’s earlier guidance and has received a range of reactions including praise and sharp criticism by health professionals.
Kennedy called on other nations to do as the U.S. has done and remove thimerosal from flu vaccines. He stated, “With the U.S. now removing mercury from all vaccines, we urge global health authorities to follow this prudent example for the protection of children worldwide.” This new call for international cooperation is part of his administration’s larger plan to develop new global vaccine standards.
Meanwhile, the committee has recommended Merck’s monoclonal antibody, Enflonsia, as a new tool for protecting infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), indicating a shift towards novel therapeutic approaches amid ongoing public health challenges.
Kennedy’s actions and the new recommendations continue to raise eyebrows and debate within the medical community. For example, some experts say that the decision to eliminate thimerosal is based on unnecessary fears instead of scientific research. Cody Meissner, a prominent pediatrician, remarked, “To make the industry jump through hoops for something for which there is no evidence of harm, I think, is an issue that needs further discussion.”
As Kennedy’s administration continues to process these changes, the outcome for vaccination policy and public health is hard to know. The newly restructured ACIP has already made controversial recommendations that could greatly affect availability of the vaccines. These reforms have affected how the public views immunization safety in this country.
