Overview

• ACIP voted to replace the blanket COVID-19 vaccination recommendation with individual decision-making, emphasizing greatest benefit for older adults and those at higher risk.
• Members narrowly rejected making COVID-19 vaccines prescription-only, leaving questions about how easily people can get shots this season.
• For children under 4, the committee recommended separate measles‑mumps‑rubella and varicella shots and reversed course so the combined MMRV would not be covered by Vaccines for Children for that age group if adopted.
• The panel tabled a proposal to delay the hepatitis B birth dose for infants with mothers who test negative, keeping current guidance in place for now.
• HHS announced universal hepatitis B testing in pregnancy with coverage across insurance programs as several newly appointed advisers signaled heightened scrutiny of vaccine safety data.