RFK’s Leading CDC Panel Approves Small Adjustment to Childhood Vaccine Schedule

Updates from the HHS Vaccine Committee

The Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made some changes to the pediatric vaccine schedule. This adjustment affects the preferred formulation for a specific vaccine, leading to a delay in a vote and altering the timing for another vaccine.

During a meeting that involved council members, the committee decided to align its childhood vaccination schedule with what many parents prefer, particularly concerning the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and chickenpox vaccines. They also recommended that mothers get tested for hepatitis B but postponed the vote that would have moved the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine from birth to the first month of life.

The Advisory Committee on Vaccination Practices (ACIP) met on Thursday, discussing various scientific research topics related to vaccines. Kennedy previously dismissed all 17 ACIP members on June 9, citing concerns over their ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

ACIP Chairman Martin Kulldorff stated that “all children can get vaccinated” against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. The committee endorsed a separate chickenpox vaccination for infants to help mitigate the chance of febrile convulsions.

This development came after a confrontation with former CDC director Susan Monares. Kennedy requested her removal in late August, which sparked conflicting narratives regarding their disagreements. In a Senate hearing, Monares failed to provide critical details about her dismissal, including communication with lawyers who frequently represent critics of former President Donald Trump.

Kulldorff disclosed that Monares never expressed any concerns to him about ACIP, despite their earlier conflicts. Meanwhile, Kennedy’s committee recommended administering vaccinations against MMR and Varicella separately for children under four, rather than using the combined MMRV shot, which 85% of parents already choose.

A spokesperson for HHS attributed this decision to a notable decrease in febrile convulsions linked to the separate dosages. However, there was some confusion triggered by voting processes, which led to misleading headlines in publications like the Hill and Wall Street Journal, suggesting that vaccinations were entirely removed from the schedule for younger children.

The committee aimed to clarify recommendations for separate vaccinations for measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. This led to a conclusion that all children would have access to these vaccines, which is critical for public health.

Kulldorff defended the committee against criticism, explaining that while they have scientific knowledge, many members aren’t completely familiar with how ACIP functions. Some committee members and public commenters raised concerns about delaying vaccines without evidence of safety signals.

“There’s a significant portion of the population that has real concerns about vaccine policy,” remarked ACIP member Robert Malone. He noted that many in the U.S. feel that medical professionals don’t provide adequate information before administering vaccines.

The ACIP committee ultimately voted to recommend that all pregnant women be tested for hepatitis B. Although there was initial consideration of delaying the first dose until the newborn is a month old, the committee decided to delay the vote after some internal discussions.