US vaccine advisory panel does not recommend COVID jabs for all

"Still, it comes amid concerns the agency is moving away from scientifically supported vaccine policy under the leadership of Kennedy, who critics say has spread vaccine scepticism rooted in misinformation. Speaking to a Senate Committee earlier this week, fired CDC Director Susan Monarez warned of increased politicalisation and a backslide in scientific rigour at the agency under Kennedy. Monarez has alleged she was fired for failing to agree to greenlight any recommendations from ACIP, regardless of the scientific justification."

"Based on what I observed during my tenure, there is a real risk that recommendations could be made restricting access to vaccines for children and others in need, without rigorous scientific review, Monarez said. In the decision on Friday, instead of broadly recommending the COVID vaccine, the panel said the vaccine should be administered based on shared clinical decision-making with a doctor. The panel narrowly avoided recommending requiring a prescription for receiving the vaccine."

A vaccine advisory panel chosen by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy voted against recommending that all US residents older than six months receive the updated COVID vaccine annually. The panel instead advised that vaccination be determined through shared clinical decision-making between patients and clinicians, and narrowly avoided requiring prescriptions. That recommendation must still be approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Critics warn that policy shifts reflect politicization and a move away from established scientific standards under Kennedy's leadership. Fired CDC Director Susan Monarez alleged her dismissal followed refusal to approve recommendations lacking robust scientific justification.

Read at www.aljazeera.com