US CDC Panel Resumes Vaccine Guideline Review After Delay Linked to Health Secretary Appointment

The CDC’s vaccine advisory panel resumed discussions after a two-month pause, reviewing COVID-19, RSV, and chikungunya guidelines. The delay followed Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as health secretary. Despite prior vaccine scepticism, Kennedy pledged to honour CDC decisions. Measles outbreaks and revised immunisation strategies were also central to the meeting.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) expert vaccine advisory panel reconvened on Tuesday following a nearly two-month delay, resuming critical discussions on updated immunisation guidelines for COVID-19, RSV, and chikungunya. The delay, originally scheduled for February, followed the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as U.S. Health Secretary, a move that drew significant public attention due to his previous vaccine scepticism.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which provides scientific recommendations to the CDC director, is holding a two-day meeting to review proposed updates for the 2025–2026 vaccine schedule. Key discussions include narrowing the current COVID-19 vaccine guidelines, which presently recommend vaccination for everyone aged six months and older, regardless of prior doses.

Another major topic on the agenda is the rising number of measles cases, with over 700 infections reported this year, predominantly among unvaccinated populations in Texas and New Mexico. In addition, the panel is reviewing usage recommendations for the RSV vaccine and new guidance on the chikungunya vaccine, a preventive measure against the mosquito-borne virus.

Despite initial concerns about Kennedy’s stance, he has publicly stated he is not anti-vaccine and pledged to uphold established immunisation policies. Senator Bill Cassidy also confirmed that Kennedy had agreed to respect ACIP’s decisions without interference.

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Public health officials and members of the advisory board emphasised the importance of regular ACIP meetings to ensure that vaccine policies remain responsive to evolving data and public needs. Dr. Helen Talbot, the committee’s chair, noted that such forums offer transparency and allow for public engagement.

The outcome of this meeting is expected to influence U.S. vaccination strategies for the coming year.