Amid ACIP Upheaval, Top Health Organizations Voice Trust, Transparency, and Access Concerns

Ahead of the June 25-26 meeting of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, top medical and patient advocacy organizations raised major concerns about member upheaval and consequences for America’s health.

More than 15,000 individuals and groups submitted written public comments ahead of ACIP’s meeting, the first since the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services abruptly dismissed the committee’s 17 independent experts and handpicked replacements days later.

The extensive pushback decried deepening distrust, lack of transparency, vaccine access challenges, and consequences for children and adults’ health.

Here’s an overview of top organizations’ statements, with links to their full submissions. PFID’s full comment letter is available here.

Alliance for Aging Research

“The ACIP has consistently been a trusted advisory body that closely followed administrative rules regarding conflicts of interest, rotating terms, and transparency. We hope the new appointees continue to uphold these values and prioritize science rather than appeasing the Secretary. Restoring public trust in vaccines is not achieved by undermining science but is earned through transparency and evidence-based policy that protects public health.”

Full statement here.

American Academy of Pediatrics

“Pediatricians have relied on the ACIP’s evidence-based recommendations to guide clinical practice, support vaccine confidence, and ensure equitable access to immunization services. We therefore submit this comment letter to express our deep concern regarding recent developments that we believe significantly undermine the integrity of the ACIP and the public’s trust in the nation’s immunization program.”

Full statement here.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

“The public health and safety of our patients rely on our ability to provide the most up-to-date and clinically accurate information on disease prevention options. The Maternal Immunization Task Force strongly urges the ACIP to continue to review clinical data and disseminate information supported by medical evidence regarding maternal immunization to inform shared decision making with patients and their families.”

Full statement here

American Society for Meningitis Prevention (ASMP)

“Furthermore, the sudden halt of this process coupled with Secretary Kennedy’s removal of all 17 ACIP members and the appointment of eight new members lacking subject-matter expertise on this topic will yield immeasurable consequences for those least able to protect themselves – our children and adolescents. These actions have also created significant uncertainty about how future vaccine recommendations will be made and threatens to further diminish public trust in immunization.”

Full statement here.

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)

“As the HHS Secretary has pointed out, transparency about conflicts of interest is essential. The committee has not made their conflict-of-interest disclosures to the public. This should be done prior to any action the ACIP would take since members with conflicts should recuse themselves from votes as necessary. Additionally, public statements by the HHS Secretary have inaccurately stated basic facts about the new ACIP appointees, including false information about medical and academic credentials. Several of the newly appointed members have benefited financially from litigation against vaccine manufacturers.”

Full statement here.

National Association of County and City Health Officials

“As the ACIP considers new and existing vaccine recommendations, we urge the Committee to reaffirm its commitment to scientific independence and to issue recommendations that expand access to immunizations to protect the public health across the lifespan. Further, as ACIP considers its membership, NACCHO strongly recommends the addition of voting members who have experience in local and state health department immunization programs to ensure fuller understanding of the impacts of ACIP’s work on access and uptake at the community level.”

Full statement here.

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)

“Vaccination is the most effective and cost-efficient strategy for preventing the spread of infectious diseases, mitigating or eliminating illnesses caused by bacteria or viruses, and saving lives. Decision-makers within the DHHS and its agencies must recognize 200 years of evidence demonstrating that vaccines have saved millions of lives and improved child health outcomes.”

Full statement here.

National Coalition for Infant Health

“In this environment, the Committee’s role in shaping strong, science-backed public health messaging is more critical than ever. Your decisions not only guide providers but also send a signal to the broader public about the safety, efficacy, and importance of vaccines. Public trust depends on a decision-making process that is evidence-based, transparent, and consistent.”

Full statement here.

National Nurses United

“RNs see firsthand the impacts that infectious diseases have on patients and their families—including the ways that vaccines protect patients’ health and how missing vaccinations can leave patients vulnerable to debilitating and deadly diseases.”

Full statement here. 

Vaccinate Your Family

“If access to lifesaving vaccines is compromised in any way, more children, adolescents and adults will die. More people will suffer needlessly from preventable diseases. More families will be devastated by preventable tragedies as Americans become needlessly ill from diseases that decades ago crippled public health. We need only to look to history to see what will befall us if vaccines are no longer a part of preventive healthcare. The work entrusted to the ACIP is critically important and must not compromise the ability of families to vaccinate their loved ones.”

Full statement here.