Insights Gleaned from RFK Jr's Vaccine Advisory Committee Gathering
ACIP Pauses Hepatitis B Vaccine Decision for Newborns, Reconsiders MMRV Shot Guidelines
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) held a meeting in Atlanta this week to discuss vaccine recommendations for Covid-19, hepatitis B, and a combination shot for measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. The panel's discussions and decisions have raised concerns and criticism from various medical experts.
The ACIP panel revisited the guidance on hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns during their meeting. However, they indefinitely postponed a vote on the issue, citing the need for further consideration. Critics argue that this decision could undermine the progress made in reducing infant hepatitis B cases, as cases have dropped by more than half since the ACIP recommended a dose of the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns in 2005.
Several doctors representing outside medical groups accused the ACIP of not following the CDC's long-established guidelines in weighing evidence for making recommendations. They also questioned the panel's makeup, with some members having criticized and spread misinformation about vaccines, led by Robert F Kennedy Jr.
The ACIP recommended new restrictions for a vaccine that protects against chickenpox as well as measles, mumps, and rubella. The committee decided that children under 4 should not receive the combined MMRV shot. Instead, they should get separate vaccines - one for MMR and another for varicella, or chickenpox.
Regarding Covid-19 vaccines, the panel declined to recommend them for anyone, including seniors and high-risk populations. This decision has sparked controversy, as many experts believe that vaccinating these groups would help protect them from severe illness and death.
The search results do not provide the name of the leader of the ACIP handpicked by US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. However, during the meeting, Chairman Martin Kulldorff challenged former CDC directors to a public debate.
On Friday, the committee voted to align coverage under the government's Vaccines for Children program with their guidance on MMRV shots. This vote came a day after the committee had to redo a vote on the same issue.
It's important to note that hepatitis B can spread through sex, sharing needles, or from an infected mother to a newborn baby. The panel urged the CDC to adopt stronger language around claims of vaccine risks.
The ACIP's decisions and discussions have raised concerns about vaccine safety and the panel's approach to making recommendations. As the world continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic and other health issues, it's crucial that decisions about vaccines are based on sound science and evidence.
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