US ACIP Panel Declines COVID-19 Vaccine for All, Rejects Prescription Requirement

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), influenced by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted not to recommend COVID-19 vaccines for all Americans over six months old, marking a shift from previous universal recommendations. Instead, the panel advised COVID-19 vaccination decisions be made individually or with a doctor's consultation, particularly emphasizing its benefit for those at increased risk of severe disease. A proposal to require prescriptions for COVID-19 vaccines was narrowly defeated, with concerns that such a mandate could limit access and exacerbate health disparities. The committee also highlighted the importance of emphasizing the risks of COVID-19 vaccines, despite CDC data affirming their safety and effectiveness. These changes signal a potential scientific backslide and increased politicization at the CDC, with critics warning that vaccine access could be restricted without rigorous scientific review. Current vaccine uptake remains low, with only 13% of children and 43% of adults over 65 up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations.