Overview

• The reconstituted ACIP began a two-day meeting in Atlanta to reassess recommendations for newborn hepatitis B shots, the combined measles–mumps–rubella–varicella vaccine, and COVID-19 vaccines.
• Committee chair Martin Kulldorff rejected accusations of anti-vaccine bias and said the advisory group is pro-vaccine.
• Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed the previous panel in June and installed new members who have drawn sharp criticism from former public health leaders.
• Former CDC director Susan Monarez told senators she was asked to back schedule changes without supporting data, describing the process as driven by preordained conclusions; RFK Jr. has denied exerting pressure.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics and several western states issued their own guidance, yet access remains tied to CDC recommendations, raising concerns that any federal rollback could make key vaccines unaffordable for many.