Unusual pushback, ‘dangerous precedent’: What the first meeting of Kennedy’s CDC advisers reveals about the future of vaccines in America

Dr. Cody Meissner, a pediatrician, and Dr. Vicky Pebsworth, volunteer director of research and patient safety at a group that emphasizes vaccine risks while downplaying their benefit, spoke at this weeks’ meeting of CDC’s vaccine advisers. 
Mike Stewart/AP

A startling new vision of vaccination in America is becoming clearer — one likely to involve fresh scrutiny of established science and practices, and limits on vaccines that have been studied for decades.

The first meeting of new vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wrapped up Thursday after days of discussions that rankled mainstream scientists, public health experts and major medical associations. The committee’s votes could bring an end to the use of a robustly studied preservative in flu shots, a shift that may ultimately limit access to vaccines for some people.

Even before Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine skeptic, was confirmed to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services, many public health advocates and politicians worried that he would target the advisory committee in an effort to undermine confidence and restrict access to vaccines. When he removed all 17 previous members of the panel about two weeks ago and replaced them with eight of his own picks – many of whom had stated objections to vaccines – some considered it a step too far.

Last-minute agenda elevated issues at center of anti-vaccine arguments

Although some parts of the ACIP agenda were planned long ago, last-minute changes put fresh attention on matters that anti-vaccine groups have focused on for decades.

that anti-vaccine groups have falsely blamed for neurodevelopmental issues such as autism, became a major point of this week’s meeting. It was removed from most shots decades ago because of concerns that it contains a form of mercury. Subsequent studies showed that thimerosal wasn’t linked to neurodevelopmental issues, including autism. Nonetheless, it became a focus for groups including Children’s Health Defense.

After the advisers voted to recommend only single-dose flu vaccines, which do not contain thimerosal, doctors and public health officials were swift to respond.

“Re-examining the childhood vaccine schedule and the use of thimerosal are both politically motivated actions that are not based on science,” Dr. Tina Tan, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, said in a statement. “Raising questions without adequate data casts doubt on vaccination, which can further drive down confidence in vaccines. More than any other medications, vaccines are extensively and constantly reviewed and evaluated. Vaccination saves lives.”

O’Leary also denounced the presentation on thimerosal.

“This selective use of data and omission of established science undermines public trust and fuels misinformation,” he said in a statement on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics.