Cassidy requests vaccine meeting postponement after RFK Jr. reshapes panel

Senator Bill Cassidy has recently called for a postponement of the upcoming meeting of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), primarily due to concerns surrounding the recent reshaping of the panel by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Cassidy, who initially supported Kennedy's confirmation, expressed apprehension regarding the qualifications and potential biases of the newly appointed members . The urgency of this request stems from issues related to experience in critical fields such as microbiology and epidemiology among panel members, which are essential for informed vaccine recommendations.

The presenter, Lyn Redwood, is a nurse practitioner with experience in pediatrics and family medicine, according to a bio posted on Children’s Health Defense’s website, which notes she is president emerita of the organization. She previously served as president of the World Mercury Project in 2016, which “expanded its mission” two years later to become Children’s Health Defense, which was founded by current US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Thimerosal is a preservative used in vaccines to prevent microbial growth, but it was removed from most shots decades ago because of concerns that it contains a form of mercury. Subsequent studies showed thimerosal - which contains ethylmercury, a form that’s cleared from the body much more quickly than methylmercury, the kind found in some fish - wasn’t linked to neurodevelopmental issues, including autism. Nonetheless, it became a key focus of groups, like Children’s Health Defense, that argue vaccines are linked to autism.

Kennedy fired all 17 members of the vaccine advisory panel two weeks ago and replaced them with eight new members, some of whom have histories of vaccine skepticism. Cassidy said that “many” of the new members Kennedy appointed to the panel “do not have significant experience studying microbiology, epidemiology or immunology.”

The advisory panel’s meeting “should be delayed until the panel is fully staffed with more robust and balanced representation—as required by law—including those with more direct relevant expertise,” Cassidy added in a post on the social platform X. “Otherwise, ACIP’s recommendations could be viewed with skepticism, which will work against the success of this Administration’s efforts.”

Since 2001, nearly all vaccines made in the United States contain no thimerosal or only trace amounts. Only multi-dose flu shot vials still contain the preservative. Most flu shots now come in single-shot packaging. 

The ACIP is set to address significant topics, including vaccine recommendations for COVID-19 and RSV. However, Cassidy argues that many new appointees lack adequate expertise and may harbor anti-vaccine sentiments, raising questions about their ability to make unbiased decisions. Given these circumstances, Cassidy advocates for a more balanced representation within the committee before proceeding with discussions that could impact public health policies.

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Sara H

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