CDC's new advisers debate changing guidance on childhood vaccines

"A panel of vaccine advisers to the federal government now embroiled in controversy under the leadership of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr kicked off a two-day meeting with a debate over proposed changes to the childhood vaccine schedule. In years past, the gathering of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, would typically draw little interest from the broader public,"

"The meeting began with pointed comments from Martin Kulldorff, an epidemiologist who is serving as the committee chair, against critics among them a slate of former CDC directors who have said the new members, selected by Secretary Kennedy, are "unqualified" and "share his dangerous and unscientific views. " Kulldorf rebuffed the idea that he or others on the panel were "anti-vaxxers" and challenged the former directors to an "open public debate.""

"The panel devoted the morning to a discussion of whether to overhaul existing CDC recommendations that allow children under age 4 to receive a combination shot for measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (or varicella), the MMRV vaccine. The vast majority of children in the U.S. about 85% get separate shots for MMR and chickenpox, though parents currently have the option to give their children the single shot to cover all four diseases."

A federal vaccine advisory panel has become controversial after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced the previous ACIP members and added five new appointees. The committee opened a two-day meeting with debate over proposed changes to the childhood vaccine schedule. Chair Martin Kulldorff defended the panel, rejected the label "anti-vaxxers," and challenged former CDC directors to an open public debate. The panel considered whether to overhaul CDC guidance that allows children under 4 to receive the MMRV combination shot for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella. About 85% of U.S. children get separate MMR and chickenpox shots, and CDC staff presented evidence showing a slightly increased risk.

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