RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine panel realizes it has no idea what it’s doing, skips vote

The second day of a two-day meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) unfolded with unexpected drama as members, handpicked by anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appeared to grapple with their own decisions. The committee, lacking in experience and credibility, began by reversing a prior decision regarding the federal coverage of the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine. On the previous day, the panel had voted 8-3 to restrict access to the MMRV vaccine for children under the age of four, despite the absence of new supporting data. However, in a surprising turn, they decided to maintain access for low-income children enrolled in the federal Vaccines For Children (VFC) program, which serves nearly half of American children. This inconsistency raised eyebrows as it suggested that the safety concerns that led to the previous restriction did not apply to vulnerable populations. The confusion deepened when the panel reconvened and voted unanimously, with three abstentions, to align VFC coverage with their earlier decision to withdraw the recommendation for MMRV in young children. Following this, they proceeded to a vote that had been postponed from the previous day, which questioned the universal administration of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. The new stance suggested delaying the first dose until at least a month after birth unless the mother tested positive for the virus, potentially exposing newborns to a highly contagious disease that can lead to severe health issues. These developments have sparked significant concern and scrutiny regarding the panel's competence and the implications of their recommendations for public health.