Federal Vaccine Policy Under Siege as Anti-Vaccine Activist-Selected Panel Votes to Remove MMRV Recommendation for Children Under 4
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel of vaccine advisors hand-picked by anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has voted to change the federal vaccine recommendations for children, removing safe and well-established vaccine doses from current schedules and realizing Kennedy’s agenda to erode federal vaccine policy and sow distrust.
Specifically, the ACIP vote on Thursday to remove the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) previous recommendation for use of a measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox) MMRV combination vaccine for children under 4 years old is a clear indication that Kennedy’s influence has reached new heights. The MMRV vaccine has been thoroughly vetted by the CDC and its safety profile is well established.
The Context: A Clear Conflict of Interest
In June, Kennedy fired all 17 highly qualified and vetted members of ACIP and replaced them with seven questionable members who lack subject matter expertise. Many of these new members have expressed anti-vaccine rhetoric and skepticism about pandemic responses and COVID-19 vaccines. At least two new members have been paid witnesses in trials against vaccine makers, a clear conflict of interest.
This week, Kennedy added five more members to the panel, further raising concerns about their qualifications and motivations. These individuals seem to be driven by an ideological agenda rather than a commitment to public health.
The Inexperience and Lack of Expertise on Display
During the meeting on Thursday, it was clear that many of Kennedy’s handpicked advisors were in over their heads when it came to evaluating vaccine policy. They asked basic questions about study data and analysis, such as what a "low confidence" designation means. This lack of understanding is alarming and raises serious concerns about their ability to make informed decisions.
Moreover, the panel seemed to be more interested in pushing their own agenda rather than listening to expert testimony. This was evident when they claimed that CDC presentations lacked critical data when, in fact, a CDC scientist had just presented the exact data in question.
The MMRV Vaccine: A Safe and Effective Choice
The discussion on Thursday focused on the MMRV vaccine, which has been thoroughly examined by vaccine experts. The current recommendation is for children to receive two doses of the MMRV vaccine – one dose at 12-15 months and a second dose between 4-6 years.
However, in 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a combo shot for all four diseases – measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). This led to an alternative vaccination strategy where children could receive the MMRV vaccine instead of separate doses. The CDC recommended using the MMR + V shots for the first dose unless parents explicitly requested the MMRV.
This nuance was lost on Kennedy’s panel, who seemed more interested in pushing their own agenda rather than considering the evidence-based recommendations of experts.
Goldman’s Warning: A Recipe for Confusion
Jason Goldman, president of the American College of Physicians, who attended the meeting as a liaison, pushed back strongly against the panel’s decision. He pointed out that they were not following the standard framework for making and changing recommendations, which includes a thorough review of evidence-based research.
Goldman warned that this decision would create more confusion among parents and lead to misinformation about vaccines. He also noted that if the committee rescinds the recommendation for MMRV for children under 4, the shot would no longer be covered by the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, which covers about half of American children.
The Aftermath: A Split Decision
In the end, Kennedy’s panel voted 8-3 (with one abstention) to not recommend MMRV for children under age 4. However, in a separate vote, they decided against changing VFC coverage for MMRV, meaning that the VFC program will continue to cover MMRV vaccines for children under 4.
This split decision is likely to lead to confusion and misinformation among parents and healthcare providers. It also raises concerns about the motivations of Kennedy’s handpicked advisors and their commitment to public health.
Conclusion
The vote by ACIP to remove the recommendation for MMRV for children under 4 is a clear indication that anti-vaccine activism has reached new heights. The panel’s decision was based on a lack of understanding of vaccine policy and a clear conflict of interest.
This move will likely lead to confusion among parents and healthcare providers, which can have serious consequences for public health. It is essential that policymakers prioritize evidence-based research and expert testimony when making decisions about vaccine policy.
The ACIP vote also raises questions about the motivations of Kennedy’s handpicked advisors and their commitment to public health. The fact that they seem more interested in pushing their own agenda rather than considering evidence-based recommendations is alarming.
In conclusion, the removal of the MMRV recommendation for children under 4 by ACIP is a step backward for public health. It highlights the need for policymakers to prioritize evidence-based research and expert testimony when making decisions about vaccine policy.