Article Summary:
Amid concerns over Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to overhaul the nation’s vaccine system, professional medical societies, pharmacists, state health officials, and vaccine manufacturers are mobilizing to preserve access to vaccines. They are discussing ordering vaccines directly from manufacturers and giving greater weight to vaccine recommendations from medical associations, rather than relying solely on the federal government’s guidance.
The groups are also asking insurance companies to continue covering shots based on professional societies’ recommendations, as Kennedy has replaced members of the key federal vaccine advisory panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The new ACIP panel includes several vaccine critics, raising fears that it may depart from long-standing vaccine recommendations.
The Vaccine Integrity Project, a new initiative, is leading the discussions with various stakeholders to explore alternatives. The project is consulting with medical associations and insurers to ensure continued vaccine access and coverage, as the removal of vaccines from the CDC’s recommended schedule could have significant public health implications.
State health officials are also considering forming their own vaccine advisory groups, but experts argue that a unified, evidence-based approach is crucial. The insurance industry has signaled its intent to continue covering widely accepted and proven public health interventions, such as vaccines.
Article Excerpt:
“Public health and medical experts have for months raised alarms over Kennedy’s ascent to the nation’s top health post, expressing concern over his lengthy history of disparaging vaccines. Kennedy, the founder of a prominent anti-vaccine group, secured enough Republican support for the position by pledging to protect the public health benefit of vaccination. But medical and public health experts argue the nation’s vaccine system is beginning to fracture under Kennedy’s leadership.”