As federal operations resume, a controversial vaccine advisory panel is quickly returning to its mission of scrutinizing and potentially altering the childhood immunization schedule. This panel, appointed amid controversy, has signaling plans to revisit vaccine safety and immunization policies.

The upcoming meeting, initially scheduled for October but delayed by the government shutdown, is now set for December 4-5. According to a recent Federal Register notice, discussions will focus on vaccine safety, the immunization schedule for children and teens, and hepatitis B vaccines. An upcoming vote on hepatitis B vaccine recommendations is also anticipated.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), responsible for guiding CDC vaccination policies, traditionally comprises highly qualified vaccine experts. However, in June, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy dismissed all 17 original members and appointed 12 new ones, many of whom hold anti-vaccine views or lack extensive relevant expertise, raising concerns among public health professionals.

Experts warn that politicization of vaccine advice threatens public trust and immunization efforts. As the panel resumes its work, questions about the influence of vaccine skepticism on public health policy remain top of mind.

David Nield

Dave is a freelance tech journalist with over 20 years covering gadgets, apps, and the web. From Stockport, England, he covers news, features, and reviews for TechRadar, focusing on phones, tablets, and wearables. He ensures top weekend breaking news and has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci, and others. He edited PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook for years. Read me on x.com or linkedin.