The Secretary of Health has ordered the withdrawal of scientists who process indications on who must receive vaccines (including pediatric ones).
The United States Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired all 17 The members of the Consultative Committee for vaccination practices (Advisory Committee on Immunization PracticesAcip) of the control and prevention centers of US diseases (CDC). The move, which in Kennedy’s words should “restore public confidence in vaccines” is A very hard blow at decades of progress in the vaccination campaignswho had erased diseases once widespread and lethal.
Which vaccines recommend, and for whom
The Acip is a group of scientists composed of epidemiologists, infectiousologists, pediatricians and vaccine experts, who elaborates the recommendations on vaccinations for the US population. After carefully reviewing the scientific data available on vaccines, this committee establishes For those who are indicated; On the basis of these indications, CDCs then develop vaccination calendars for children and adults.
Its role is even more decisive if we consider that insurance companies and federal programs such as Medicaid are based on the recommendations of this committee to establish which vaccines to provide coverage. If the result of this group dismissal was the failure to recommend crucial vaccines such as pediatric ones, millions of US citizens could lose the possibility of vaccinating and protecting themselves from diseases that have not been circulating for decades and that were believed to be archived. Or find yourself forced to Pay more to get vaccines.
Pretentious accusations
The Acip should have met between 25 and 27 June and the meeting will be held regularly. It is therefore assumed that new members for the panel will be announced, to replace those left at home – 13 of which had been appointed by the Biden administration. Robert Kennedy’s decision contradicts the declarations issued by the Secretary to Health During the hearing of confirmation of his assignment to the American Senate, last January. On that occasion, answering the questions of Bill Cassidy, a republican senator of the state of Louisiana, Kennedy had said he would not alter the panel on vaccines.
Instead, he did so by accusing the members of the Committee of Conflict of Interest, that is, by insinuating the doubt of their connection with the pharmaceutical companies that produce vaccines. An incorrect accusation, as well as infamous: as an article on the New York Timesthe members of the Committee they are controlled to exclude this type of situationsThat is, they cannot have actions or belong to consultative bodies affiliated with vaccine producers.
The Secretary of Health also accused the panel of “meeting in secret”, sowing the fear of poor transparency at the basis of his decision -making processes.
This is not the case: the ACIP meetings are open to the public who can assist you on live web, and their contents are then shared on the CDC website.
The desired result: the confusion
Kennedy’s antivaccinist positions have been known for at least twenty years and this is yet another initiative aimed at erode the trust of the American population in medical science. “The public must know that the recommendations of our health agencies are guided by impartial science,” said the politician, motivating his decision. “This will ensure that the American people receive the most sure possible vaccines.”
In recent weeks, under its indications, the FDA has restricted the availability for anti-covid vaccines to the over 65 and to citizens with previous diseases. Kennedy also announced, overcoming the opinion of the ACIP, that the CDCs will no longer recommend anti-Covid vaccinations for pregnant women and children. Subsequently, the CDCs returned to this decision, recommending anti-covid vaccines for children after medical consultation. These conflicting messages have generated Confusion in the population and uncertainty in healthcare professionalsfor example pharmacies, which had to administer vaccines.