Latest ACIP move is dangerous to the nation’s health
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Latest ACIP move is dangerous to the nation’s health
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) work groups will no longer include the expertise of volunteer liaisons from the AMA and many other physician and health care organizations. The AMA was joined by seven other organizations in decrying the move as a step backward for transparency and public health. “We are deeply disappointed and alarmed that our organizations are being characterized as ‘biased’ and therefore barred from reviewing scientific data,” the statement says. The administration claimed to be addressing purported conflicts of interest at ACIP, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) The AMA and 78 other medical societies reaffirmed their support for vaccination as the best way to protect against the flu, COVID-19, and RSV and their potentially serious complications. The organizations called on partners to ensure these lifesaving vaccines remain available to patients without cost sharing.
What’s the news: The influential Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) work groups will no longer include the expertise of volunteer liaisons from the AMA and many other physician and health care organizations. About 30 organizations have traditionally provided these medical experts to aid the committee’s review process and provide recommendations on immunization through ACIP work groups.
The administration claimed to be addressing purported conflicts of interest at ACIP, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
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The AMA was joined by seven other organizations in decrying the move as a step backward for transparency and public health.
“We are deeply disappointed and alarmed that our organizations are being characterized as ‘biased’ and therefore barred from reviewing scientific data and informing the development of vaccine recommendations that have long helped ensure our nation’s vaccine program is safe, effective and free from bias,” says the statement. It was issued by the AMA, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, American Geriatrics Society, American Osteopathic Association, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and National Medical Association.
“For decades, liaisons from our organizations have reviewed published and unpublished data and literature related to vaccine efficacy, effectiveness and safety and provided unbiased input for ACIP’s consideration,” the statement says. “To remove our deep medical expertise from this vital and once transparent process is irresponsible, dangerous to our nation’s health and will further undermine public and clinician trust in vaccines. We strongly urge the administration to reconsider excluding our organizations from participating in the ACIP vaccine review process so we can continue to feel confident in its vaccine recommendations for our patients.”
In June, the AMA also expressed concern about the HHS move to dismiss all 17 members of ACIP.
Why it’s important: ACIP work groups have a long history of helping the committee draft its widely influential recommendations on routine immunization. They are composed of ACIP members, CDC staff and other experts on immunization. They work year-round to gather scientific, safety and efficacy information regarding vaccines to discuss at ACIP meetings. The work group members do not vote on the final recommendation from ACIP.
According to the CDC, the work groups “review relevant published and unpublished data and develop recommendation options for presentation to the ACIP. Work groups review specific topics in detail and clarify issues in a way that helps ACIP voting members make informed and efficient decisions, with the best and most current information available.”
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As of last November, there were active ACIP work groups related to:
Chikungunya vaccines.
Immunization schedules for adults, as well as children and adolescents.
COVID-19 vaccines.
Cytomegalovirus vaccines.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
Influenza vaccines.
Meningococcal vaccines.
Mpox vaccines.
Pneumococcal vaccines.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines for pediatric, maternal and adult populations.
Learn more: In June, the AMA and 78 other medical societies reaffirmed their support for vaccination as the best way to protect against the flu, COVID-19, and RSV and their potentially serious complications. The organizations called on partners—insurers, hospitals and public health agencies—to ensure these lifesaving vaccines remain available to patients without cost sharing.
The AMA offers a plethora of up-to-date, accurate information to help guide patients and physicians on the safety and efficacy of vaccines. That includes updated measles resources amid 29 outbreaks reported in 2025, sickening more than 1,300 people in a majority of states.
Explore further vaccination information available from the AMA Ed Hub™ and JAMA Network®, and find out what doctors wish patients knew about family immunizations.