The Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, or ACIP, has convened for its first meeting under new leadership appointed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The committee, tasked with guiding national vaccine policy, has begun discussions on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines and antibody treatments, as well as COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. Martin Kulldorff, the newly appointed chair, has announced the formation of two work groups: one to examine the cumulative effects of the childhood immunization schedule, and another to review vaccines not assessed in over seven years.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention presented data showing the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in reducing hospitalizations and deaths. For the 2024-25 season, the CDC reports vaccine effectiveness against emergency department and urgent care visits at 79% for children under 5, 57% for those 5 to 17, and 34% for adults.
The significance becomes clear when we consider the ongoing debate over vaccine safety. The CDC maintains that while myocarditis and pericarditis remain potential risks of COVID-19 vaccination, no other significant safety concerns have been identified.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a statement declaring that ACIP’s immunization policy process is “no longer credible” and will continue to publish its vaccine recommendations for children.
The committee also discussed RSV prevention strategies. Currently, RSV vaccines are recommended for pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation, with monoclonal antibody shots available for infants born to unvaccinated mothers. CDC data indicates that 57% of infants born between April 2024 and March 2025 were protected from RSV through these methods.
Both sides of this issue present compelling arguments. Dr. Cody Meissner, a new ACIP member, praised the RSV prevention data as a “truly spectacular accomplishment.” However, committee member Retsef Levi expressed skepticism, calling for more data on the long-term efficacy of maternal vaccines.
The committee has delayed its vote on RSV recommendations until tomorrow. This raises important questions about the future of vaccine policy in the United States.
