The C.D.C.'s Vaccine Meeting: What to Watch For
Some new members of the C.D.C.'s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, handpicked by health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have expressed deep skepticism of vaccines.
One of them, Robert Malone, said on X that he considers the label 'anti-vaxer' to be 'high praise.' Mr. Kennedy named Dr. Malone a co-chair of the committee on Tuesday.
The panel's agenda on Wednesday includes some topics that are closely associated with the anti-vaccine movement and omits several others that were originally scheduled for discussion.
Here's what to watch for.
The panelists: Most of the seven new committee members are not vaccine experts, and a few have not publicly expressed their views on childhood immunizations. The meeting should offer clues about their opinions on the safety of various vaccines.
Thimerosal: A perennial target of the anti-vaccine movement, and of Mr. Kennedy, thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative that was falsely said to be a cause of autism. Most childhood vaccines in the United States have not contained thimerosal since 2001, even as autism rates have continued to rise.
Flu vaccine: The panelists are scheduled to vote on the only pediatric formulation that contains thimerosal, a multidose vial of the flu shot, which uses it to prevent microbial contamination. That formulation accounts for a small fraction of flu vaccines administered to Americans. In a twist, Lyn Redwood, a former leader of Children's Health Defense, the anti-vaccine group founded by Mr. Kennedy, is scheduled to present recommendations for the vaccine.
M.M.R.V. vaccine: This combination vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox is on the agenda under 'proposed recommendations' regarding its use in children younger than 4. It slightly increases the risk of febrile seizures, which can occur with any childhood illness but do not cause lasting harm. The C.D.C. already recommends administering the M.M.R. shot and the chickenpox shot separately in the first dose.
Maternal and pediatric vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus: It may turn out to be a straightforward vote on recommending clesrovimab, a new monoclonal antibody approved by the Food and Drug Administration earlier this month, as an alternative to protect infants. But a scheduled update on the safety of the maternal vaccine opens the door to restrictions.
The presenters: A dozen or more C.D.C. scientists typically present data to the panelists. This time, only a few senior scientists are scheduled to present most of the data.
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