A federal vaccine advisory committee will meet in April, nearly two months after it originally was scheduled to discuss recommendations for immunizations.
Topics at the April 15-16 meeting of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) appear to be nearly the same as those from a postponed February meeting, according to a notice in the Federal Register Friday. They include meningococcal, chikungunya, influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus, HPV, mpox, Lyme disease and cytomegalovirus vaccines. The meeting also includes an update on the measles outbreak.
ACIP is made up of independent medical and public health experts who develop recommendations on the use of new or updated vaccines. The recommendations become official CDC policy after the CDC director approves them.
The group’s February meeting would have been the first under new Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. but was postponed “to accommodate public comment in advance of the meeting,” according to an HHS spokesperson.
At the time, AAP President Susan J. Kressly, M.D., FAAP, said she was alarmed at the postponement as the group “plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of disease in the United States.” She urged officials to reschedule the meeting quickly.
“The AAP relies on this information when forming our own recommendations for child and adolescent vaccine schedules,” Dr. Kressly said. “The work conducted by the independent experts who serve on the committee is critical to ensure access to life-saving immunizations and improve child health.”
Kennedy repeatedly has expressed skepticism about vaccines, and it is unclear whether he may change the makeup of the group to include those with similar views. An HHS spokesperson did not directly address a question about the composition of the committee Friday but said “ACIP work groups have continued to meet and will present at the upcoming ACIP meeting.”
While the meeting notice lists influenza as a topic for discussion, it previously was scheduled for a vote. Clinicians are awaiting guidance on an at-home nasal spray to protect against flu that received approval from the Food and Drug Administration last year. An HHS spokesperson did not directly address questions about that issue on Friday. The final agenda will be posted online closer to the date of the meeting.
Members of the public can submit a written public comment to ACIP from March 31 to April 11 or sign up during those dates to make an oral public comment during the meeting, which is webcast.
