ACIP meeting kicks off with scheduled discussion on vaccination policy

In its meeting today, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has heard from members of liaison organizations. However, those medical groups will not be formal advisers to the ACIP work groups.

Chair Martin Kulldorff, PhD, said that is due to the requirements of FACA, the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and ACIP formerly was not in compliance with that.

He said he agreed with a speaker statement that members of liaison groups give their input to the work groups, but the FACA requirement is outside the control of ACIP.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices concluded its morning and early afternoon deliberations about the measles-mumps-rubella and varicella vaccines. There was no committee vote, but that is scheduled later today.

The afternoon session has opened with a presentation about the hepatitis B vaccine.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices opened its meeting with members introducing themselves and describing their qualifications.

Chair Martin Kulldorff, PhD, challenged former directors and high-level leaders at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to a debate on vaccine science. For those asking, who can you trust about vaccine safety? Kulldorff suggested people should trust scientists willing to debate the science behind vaccine safety and efficacy.

During the roll call, members of liaison organizations were present, including representatives form the American Medical Association (AMA), the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Osteopathic Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Nurses Association and the American Pharmacists Association. Previously the AMA announced it and some other medical groups would be excluded from ACIP deliberations.

No liaison reported present from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Kulldorff said he lamented the AAP ending its participation in ACIP deliberations.

After the first part of the presentation on the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine, ACIP member Cody Meissner, MD, echoed Kulldorff's comments. Meissner stated AAP is moving itself to irrelevance and the organization's importance will wane if it refuses to participate in ACIP conversations.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet starting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, for a two-day meeting.

The meeting agenda is here, with discussion scheduled about vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella in the morning. The afternoon time has planned discussion about the hepatitis B vaccine, public comment, and votes on those shote. Today’s session could include introductions of five new members announced this week.

Check back for updates as new information becomes available.

In the meantime, here are some resources available from Medical Economics.

All eyes on ACIP as nation heads for ‘unknown territory’ for vaccine policies

Most parents trust core childhood vaccines, question flu and COVID shots, survey finds

The 10 most vaccinated states in 2025

American Academy of Pediatrics splits with CDC, releases its own immunization schedule