United States: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began their two-day session for expert panel members who evaluate and update national vaccination guidelines. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) panel evaluates vaccination recommendations for RSV together with chikungunya virus and other disease classes, as reported by Reuters.
The advisory committee will conduct its voting session on Wednesday to demonstrate revisions to these vaccines while investigating the measles outbreak that has reached more than 700 reported cases throughout 2023 in Texas and New Mexico among unvaccinated residents.
February Meeting Postponed Amid Political Controversy
The February meeting got postponed when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accepted the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) position. Kennedy expressed his commitment to CDC vaccine policies during his Senate confirmation process after admitting that he faced criticism for prior vaccine skepticism. This announcement gained support from key members who confirmed him as head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Senator and physician Bill Cassidy emphasized Kennedy’s commitment to maintaining the independence of the CDC panel’s decisions.
Former CDC official: “We’ll just get rid of all the whites in the United States who refuse the vaccine” pic.twitter.com/oIlUZFjjIP
— Nour Ben (@NMBMDUS) April 14, 2025
Leadership Void at the CDC
While the ACIP’s guidance typically receives swift approval from the CDC director, the agency is currently operating without a confirmed director. President Donald Trump nominated Susan Monarez for the role after initially considering former congressman Dave Weldon. Monarez’s appointment still awaits Senate confirmation.
In the interim, CDC representative Matthew Buzzelli, a former Justice Department trial attorney, will offer evaluations of the panel’s recommendations.
Who Should Get COVID Boosters Next?
COVID-19 booster guidelines for the upcoming 2025–2026 season remain a hot topic among discussion panels. According to the CDC people aged six months and older need to receive updated COVID vaccines regardless of their existing vaccination status. The panel discusses whether specialized vaccine guidelines would produce the best results in future seasons.
Interestingly, COVID-19 was not included on the agenda of the postponed February meeting, making its return to the discussion table this week more notable, as reported by Reuters.
Public Health Experts React
Dr. William Schaffner, liaison from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases to the ACIP, described the current session as a typical annual review. “The bottom line is: so far so good,” he said.