The recent decisions made by the Department of Health and Human Services have sparked a significant shift in vaccine policy and public health safeguarding. With the rescinding of longstanding Covid-19 vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women, along with the removal of all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, concerns have been raised about the future of vaccine use in the United States.
In response to these changes, the Vaccine Integrity Project was launched by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. This project aims to ensure that vaccine usage in the country remains grounded in evidence-based practices and focused on protecting the public from preventable diseases. By engaging with various stakeholders, including clinicians, academics, public health officials, insurers, and industry leaders, the project has identified key priorities for defending vaccine science and combating misinformation.
Moving forward, the Vaccine Integrity Project will be collaborating with experts to assess evidence on influenza, RSV, and Covid-19. By developing comprehensive evidence briefs for these respiratory diseases, medical professional associations will be able to draft and disseminate trusted vaccine recommendations and guidelines. This collaborative effort will involve organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the American Academy of Family Physicians, each focusing on specific populations.
It’s important to note that this initiative is not meant to replace the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices but rather to provide clinicians with evidence-backed guidance to protect Americans from respiratory viruses. By disclosing conflicts of interest and securing independent funding from philanthropists, the project aims to uphold integrity, openness, and scientific rigor in vaccine decision-making.
The ultimate goal of the Vaccine Integrity Project is to work alongside the scientific and medical communities to support the infrastructure of state and local health departments, ensure vaccine safety systems, protect insurance coverage, and coordinate policy efforts across the ecosystem. In times of uncertainty, it is crucial to reaffirm the role of science and evidence in guiding public health decisions.
Michael T. Osterholm, Ph.D., M.P.H., who serves as the McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health and director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, is also a member of the Vaccine Integrity Project Steering Committee. Together, these individuals and organizations are dedicated to upholding the integrity of vaccine science and promoting the health and well-being of the public.
