Confusion abounds over future of US vaccine advisory committee
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- A federal judge has effectively invalidated the membership of 13 members of the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), putting on hold their decisions and recent changes to the childhood immunization schedule.
- Conflicting statements emerged about the committee's status, with former co-chair Robert Malone claiming ACIP was disbanded and would be recreated, while health officials and a HHS spokesperson denied any final decision had been made.
- The judge's ruling means all 17 vaccines, including the birth dose of hepatitis B, remain fully recommended as previous changes are suspended.
- Acting CDC head Jay Bhattacharya indicated plans to select new committee members to avoid a lengthy appeal process, but no formal appeal has been filed yet.
