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Senator Calls for Delay of Vaccine Advisory Committee Meeting
WASHINGTON – Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., is raising concerns about the composition of a key federal vaccine advisory committee and has called for a postponement of its upcoming meeting.
Cassidy, a physician and the chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, criticized Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent appointments to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Earlier this month, Kennedy dismissed all 17 existing ACIP members and appointed eight new members, some of whom have expressed skepticism about vaccines. This move drew criticism from Cassidy, who was a crucial vote in Kennedy’s confirmation.
Cassidy stated he supported Kennedy’s confirmation based on assurances, which Kennedy later denied, that he would not alter the composition of the ACIP. The committee plays a vital role in shaping vaccine recommendations and childhood immunization schedules.
Cassidy questioned the expertise of the new appointees, noting that while they possess scientific credentials, several lack extensive experience in relevant fields like microbiology, epidemiology, and immunology. He also expressed concern that some members may hold pre-existing biases against newer vaccine technologies, such as mRNA vaccines.
The Senator urged a delay of the ACIP’s scheduled meeting this week, citing the panel’s reduced size and the absence of a confirmed CDC director to endorse its recommendations. Susan Monarez, President Trump’s nominee for CDC director, is scheduled for a Senate confirmation hearing this week. In the interim, Kennedy has been approving some ACIP recommendations and recently announced, independently of the ACIP, that the Covid vaccine would no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women.
Cassidy emphasized the need for a fully staffed panel with a more balanced representation and relevant expertise, as required by law, before the meeting proceeds.
The Department of Health and Human Services has defended Kennedy’s choices, stating the new panel comprises highly qualified scientists, public health experts, and physicians committed to evidence-based medicine. However, the meeting’s draft agenda includes a discussion and vote on flu vaccines containing thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative.
Kennedy has previously promoted the disproven link between thimerosal and autism. While thimerosal is largely absent from vaccines produced in the United States, it is still found in multi-dose flu shot vials.