Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over US Vaccine Adviser Panel

Strategic Insights -

Ahead of the first meeting of the newly appointed vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lawmakers are sharing fresh concerns about the panel's membership and last-minute actions that could see Covid-19 and influenza vaccines thrown into question. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, sent a letter Tuesday to US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., expressing her concerns about the agency's abrupt dismissal of all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the appointment of eight new members two days later. The dismissal of the ACIP members makes clear that Kennedy does not intend to uphold a commitment he made to senators during the confirmation process that he would not take away Americans' access to vaccines, said Rep. Frank Pallone, a Democrat from New Jersey. The panel's meeting, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, is set to include discussions about Covid-19 vaccines and a resurrected debate about thimerosal in flu shots.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and appointed eight new members two days later.
  • Sen. Elizabeth Warren has raised concerns about Kennedy's handling of the ACIP, stating that the new members are rife with conflicts of interest, including Dr. Robert Malone, who has advocated against mRNA vaccines and Covid-19 measures.
  • Warren's letter highlights the lack of experience and expertise of some new appointees, including Dr. Martin Kulldorff, who has served as a paid witness against vaccine manufacturers in recent years.
  • The senator has also raised questions about the current status of Dr. Michael Ross, whom the secretary described as working at George Washington University and Virginia Commonwealth University, but who has actually been working in private equity and at a Maryland-based biotech startup.
  • Cassidy, a Republican senator, has called for HHS to delay ACIP's meeting, citing concerns about the lack of experience and expertise of some new appointees.
  • The panel's meeting is set to include discussions about Covid-19 vaccines and a resurrected debate about thimerosal in flu shots.

Statistics:

  • Eight new members have been appointed to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
  • 17 previous members of the ACIP were dismissed by US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
  • Conflicts of interest disclosures for previous ACIP members are available on the CDC's website.
  • Dr. Robert Malone has advocated against mRNA vaccines and Covid-19 measures.
  • Dr. Martin Kulldorff has served as a paid witness against vaccine manufacturers in recent years.

Sources:

  • A letter from Sen. Elizabeth Warren to US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
  • A statement from Sen. Bill Cassidy, chairman of the Senate's health committee.
  • A transcript of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday.
  • A statement from an HHS spokesperson.