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ACIP Meets and Discusses
Possible Changes for Future Vaccine Schedules 

Nine years ago, I attended my first of many in-person Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meetings at the CDC.  It was the day after a large rally for "Truth and Transparency" took place outside.  At the time, I was the lone voice representing health freedom. Back then, public comment was allowed after every presentation, so by the end of the two-day meeting, I was well known to the committee.  A few meetings later, others began to join, and ACIP changed its policy to allow only one public comment session over the two days, with each person limited to three minutes.  When that became too overwhelming for them, they switched to their current policy, which (supposedly) randomly selects a limited number of speakers from those who apply.  Needless to say, getting a spot to give public comment these days is nearly impossible.  But the "Silver Lining" —which I’m always on the lookout for—is that these meetings are now much more widely watched and publicized than they were nine years ago.

The first ACIP meeting of the new administration took place last week week, on April 15-16, 2025, after a two-month delay from their typical February meeting.  The committee reviewed updates on vaccines for influenza, meningococcal disease, RSV, mpox, COVID-19, pneumococcal infections, HPV, cytomegalovirus, and chikungunya.  With many new members on board, the overall tone was familiar, but it was encouraging to hear more direct questions raised around the safety and necessity of certain vaccines and proposed recommendation expansions—something that had been notably lacking over the last 10 years I have been attending and watching these meetings.

Key takeaways from the presenations included:

• Moderna’s next-gen COVID-19 vaccine, which sets the stage for future combination shots that include flu protection.
• Potential changes to the HPV vaccine schedule, including fewer doses and a younger target age.
• An upcoming vaccine for cytomegalovirus, aimed at protecting infants from this underrecognized but potentially serious virus.
• A concerning update on FluMist, a nasal spray vaccine with a shaky track record, now being made available for use at home.

A Voice for Choice Advocacy works closely with Stand for Health Freedom, and is their representative organization in California.  Stand for Health Freedom put together a full overview of last week's meeting which can be read here:  https://standforhealthfreedom.com/unanswered-questions/.  

This is a new era for vaccine policy.  Votes on the expansion or addition of six vaccines to the recommended immunization schedule—including some still pending FDA licensure—are anticipated at the June ACIP meeting. SHF and AVFCA will continue to closely monitor upcoming meetings and provide timely updates.

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Together we can make change happen!

C

Christina Hildebrand
President/Founder
A Voice for Choice Advocacy, Inc.
[email protected]
www.AVoiceForChoiceAdvocacy.org