Senate Health Leader Calls for Delay of Vaccine Panel Meeting
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a key Senate health leader, is urging for the postponement of this week’s meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) handpicked by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Cassidy raised concerns about the lack of experience and potential bias of some members towards certain vaccines.
In a statement posted on social media, Cassidy highlighted the credentials of ACIP appointees but expressed reservations about their limited experience in microbiology, epidemiology, and immunology. He specifically mentioned a lack of familiarity with new technologies like mRNA vaccines and suggested a potential bias against them among some members.
Calling for a delay in the upcoming meeting, Cassidy emphasized the need for a more balanced representation on the panel to ensure comprehensive and unbiased decision-making. This stance marks a sharp criticism of Kennedy’s actions by Cassidy, who played a pivotal role in confirming Kennedy’s appointment.
At the time of writing, Health and Human Services had not responded to requests for comment on Cassidy’s statement.
As the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Cassidy was instrumental in advancing Kennedy’s confirmation, based on assurances from Kennedy that existing vaccine approval processes would remain unchanged. However, since assuming office, Kennedy has initiated significant changes within the public health sector, including the dismissal of the previous ACIP members earlier this month.
In an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, Kennedy attributed this action to the perceived influence of pharmaceutical industry ties on public trust. Subsequently, Kennedy announced a revamped committee with members who have expressed anti-vaccine sentiments and others lacking substantial experience in the field.
The scheduled meeting of the panel is set to address various vaccines, including those for Covid-19 and RSV, with crucial voting on vaccine recommendations anticipated. Cassidy stressed the legal requirement for a broader panel with more relevant expertise and highlighted the absence of a Senate-confirmed CDC director to endorse the recommendations.
Emphasizing the importance of establishing credibility and trust in the Administration’s vaccination efforts, Cassidy underscored the necessity for a well-rounded and knowledgeable panel for ACIP.
