By Michael Erman
In Atlanta, the latest from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reveals significant plans for revising the childhood vaccine calendar. His selected vaccine advisory team for the CDC is all set to cast their votes over the next two days, marking an attempt to reshape the nation’s vaccination strategies.
This shaking-up comes after Kennedy, known for his strong anti-vaccine stance, dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s previous Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices earlier this year. He replaced them with a smaller crew of just 12 people, many of whom share his skepticism about vaccines and aim to shift the existing guidelines on the COVID-19 vaccine.
According to documents released beforehand by the CDC, two crucial votes are expected during the meeting. One will be to potentially limit the usage of the combined measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine for kids under 4, and the second will discuss changing how we administer the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
Evaluating Risks of the MMRV Vaccine
Heading the discussion is Martin Kulldorff—an epidemiologist and biostatistician. He’s not without controversies, having been let go from Harvard University for opposing COVID-19 lockdowns and refusing the COVID-19 jab. The committee he leads is contemplating whether to drop the recommendation for the MMRV vaccine for children younger than 4. Health experts point out that this combined shot potentially increases seizure risks compared to if children received each vaccine separately.
Currently, the CDC does recommend splitting the MMR and varicella shots for kids under the age of 4, unless parents specify they prefer the combined vaccine.
Hepatitis B Vaccine Considerations
Another major decision coming up concerns the hep B vaccine given to newborns. The panel is deciding whether to continue its immediate administration at birth or to delay it until children are at least one month old, potentially working out the timing in conversation with new mothers—unless the mom tests positive for the virus.
Furthermore, there’s also a vote in play regarding mandatory hepatitis B testing for all expectant mothers. Hepatitis B can be severe, leading to liver cancer and various complications. Many professionals agree it’s essential for newborns.
Noel Brewer, a former advisory committee member, emphasized the importance of the birth dose, noting that prior attempts based on risk assessment didn’t yield much success. “High-risk individuals often don’t see themselves as such,” he remarked.
Turbulence at the CDC
This meeting arrives in a turbulent time for the CDC, coming on the heels of the ousting of its director, Susan Monarez. She openly struggled with Kennedy regarding these vaccine policies, feeling pressure to uncontested endorse recommendations from his newly formed committee.
The fallout from these changes has led to resignations from other senior officials at the CDC, fueled by worries that scientific evaluations are losing integrity and how decisions are being made hastily without due process. Monarez stated in a Senate committee hearing recently that Kennedy insisted changes to the vaccine schedule would be in place by September.
Dr. Jesse Goodman, a former chief scientist at the FDA, verbally expressed concern over the hepatitis B vaccine decision, highlighting the lack of new evidence suggesting potential harm from the vaccine. He cautioned, “We’re at a crucial junction where misinformation could substantially hinder public health efforts. It’s vital we protect children from potentially grievous afflictions down the line like cirrhosis and liver cancer.””>
(Reporting by Michael Erman; Additional reporting by Sriparna Roy, Mrinalika Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Caroline Humer, Lisa Shumaker and Chizu Nomiyama)
