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Takeaways From RFK Jr.’s Recent Vaccine Panel Meeting

October 1, 2025

The U.S. Health and Human Services' newly appointed vaccine advisory committee, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , met in Atlanta to reconsider vaccine recommendations for several diseases.

Who is affected

  • The general American public, particularly those seeking COVID-19 vaccines
  • Seniors and high-risk populations who previously received routine COVID-19 vaccine recommendations
  • Infants and children who receive hepatitis B and MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox) vaccines
  • Healthcare providers and insurers who follow CDC recommendations
  • State public health agencies concerned about vaccine access

What action is being taken

  • The new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is meeting to revise vaccine recommendations
  • The panel is declining to recommend COVID-19 vaccines, leaving decisions to individuals
  • The committee is recommending new restrictions for the combination MMRV vaccine
  • Several states are implementing policies to ensure people's access to COVID-19 vaccines
  • America's Health Insurance Plans members are continuing to cover COVID-19 shots through 2026

Why it matters

  • The panel's recommendations may create confusion for Americans deciding whether to get fall COVID-19 boosters
  • The new approach represents a significant shift from previous vaccine policies under Kennedy's leadership
  • The committee's decisions could potentially affect vaccination rates and public health outcomes
  • Critics worry the panel's composition and decisions may decrease public trust in vaccines
  • The CDC typically adopts these recommendations, which then influence medical practice and insurance coverage nationwide

What's next

  • The panel's recommendations will be sent to the CDC director for review
  • The committee will need to address the postponed vote on hepatitis B shots for infants at a future meeting
  • The CDC will decide whether to adopt the panel's recommendations, which would then be widely followed by doctors and insurers

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint