NEW YORK (AP) – Recently, all 17 members of the government's vaccine advisory panel have been dismissed. Essays have been published On Monday, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized the “inconsistent decision,” warning that it could exacerbate the spread of preventable diseases.
Last week, Kennedy declared his intent to “retire” the entire panel that oversees U.S. vaccine policy. He also discreetly removed Dr. Melinda Wharton, a veteran from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who coordinated the committee meetings.
Just two days later, he appointed eight new members to a prominent panel. The new appointees include scientists who have criticized the Covid-19 vaccine, prominent opponents of the pandemic-era lockdowns, and individuals associated with a group often seen as a principal source of vaccine misinformation.
“We are profoundly worried that these erratic decisions, made without clear reasoning, could reverse the progress of U.S. vaccination policies, hinder access to life-saving vaccines, and ultimately jeopardize the health of American families against dangerous and preventable diseases.”
The new committee is set to convene next week. The agenda for that meeting has yet to be released, but a recent Federal Notice indicates that voting on vaccinations for influenza, Covid-19, HPV, RSV, and meningococcal disease is anticipated.
In addition to Wharton’s dismissal, the CDC’s vaccination team has faced cuts, with some experts resigning to present data to committee members.
One such expert, Dr. Lakshmipanadi Otakopoulos, left the CDC after 12 years and revealed her decision in a memo to members of the Covid-19 Vaccine Workgroup this month. Her resignation followed Kennedy’s unilateral decision to withdraw Covid-19 vaccination recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women.
“My career in public health and vaccinology was driven by a profound desire to assist our most vulnerable populations. This is not something I can continue in my current role,” she stated in a message obtained by the Associated Press.
Former committee members noted that the reduction in CDC personnel makes it challenging for the new external advisors to expedite fact-based decisions regarding the vaccines to be released for public use.
“The abrupt termination of all members and the leadership in one action compromises the Committee’s ability to function effectively and efficiently, raising concerns about competence,” they remarked.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declined to comment on Jama’s commentary, instead referring to Kennedy’s previous statements regarding the committee.
Kennedy has been a prominent voice in the anti-vaccine movement prior to taking on his role in the U.S. government, where he accused the committee of too closely aligning with vaccine manufacturers.
The Advisory Committee on Vaccination Practices, established in 1964, advises CDC directors on the use of vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Typically, the CDC Director endorses these recommendations, which are intended to guide medical professionals and patients through vaccination protocols.
The ACIP policy mandates members to disclose past connections with vaccine companies and to recuse themselves from votes in case of conflicts of interest; however, Kennedy has dismissed these safeguards as inadequate.
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Source: apnews.com