The initial gathering saw chair Dr. Martin Kulldorff recount his dismissal from Harvard for refusing the Covid-19 vaccination. The panel is set to scrutinize established immunizations, including examining the necessity of hepatitis B shots for newborns, despite the vaccine’s proven safety record. Harvard professor of epidemiology Bill Hanage criticized the call to evaluate vaccines from the past seven years as unfounded, hinting at flawed reasoning behind the review.
Originally tasked with making recommendations on RSV vaccinations, the panel postponed its vote, with upcoming discussions set to delve into thimerosal, a longtime banned mercury-based preservative—an unusual focus when past committees prioritized rigorous expertise in vaccine safety. Critics, including former ACIP members, argue that Kennedy's selections reflect his personal anti-vaccine stance rather than a balanced representation of scientific knowledge.
Further dissent arose from Senator Bill Cassidy, who highlighted the inexperience within the newly formed panel particularly concerning modern vaccination technology like mRNA vaccines, urging a halt to their activities until a CDC director is appointed. The landscape of US vaccination policy, particularly for children, now hangs in a precarious balance as this new committee begins its work amid swirling controversy.
Originally tasked with making recommendations on RSV vaccinations, the panel postponed its vote, with upcoming discussions set to delve into thimerosal, a longtime banned mercury-based preservative—an unusual focus when past committees prioritized rigorous expertise in vaccine safety. Critics, including former ACIP members, argue that Kennedy's selections reflect his personal anti-vaccine stance rather than a balanced representation of scientific knowledge.
Further dissent arose from Senator Bill Cassidy, who highlighted the inexperience within the newly formed panel particularly concerning modern vaccination technology like mRNA vaccines, urging a halt to their activities until a CDC director is appointed. The landscape of US vaccination policy, particularly for children, now hangs in a precarious balance as this new committee begins its work amid swirling controversy.
