What Happened at This Week's ACIP Meeting
PLUS: A Measles Scandal in Texas
Hi Community,
A brief midweek update. If you didn’t have time to watch all 18 hours of this week’s ACIP meeting (or had far better things to do), here’s what you missed and why it matters.
A little background
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is an independent panel of experts that advises the CDC on vaccine use in the United States. Its February meeting was abruptly postponed following the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, reportedly to “allow for public comment.” The delay raised serious concerns because of ACIP’s critical role in shaping national immunization policy and the downstream effects on insurance coverage, federal programs, and state health departments. I wrote more at the time about why the ACIP matters and why any attempt to politicize or undermine it is dangerous.
ACIP Meets Again: A Welcome Return
After a two-month delay, the ACIP finally reconvened this week. While much of the meeting felt like business as usual, two moments stood out:
1. The FDA’s representative was a political appointee, Dr. Tracy Hoeg, whose past critiques of COVID-19 vaccine policies and childhood vaccines have sparked concerns, some of which surfaced during discussions.
2. Funding cuts were openly acknowledged as already impacting the CDC’s outbreak response and communications capacity. Technical issues with the meeting livestream reflected those strains. And, notably, one of the four key flu surveillance networks will be shut down next season.
One of the most thoughtful discussions centered on whether COVID-19 vaccine recommendations should remain universal or shift to a risk-based approach. It’s a complicated policy issue, and I saw no evidence of political interference in the debate. This was science in action—grappling with evolving data in real time. It also showed why ACIP’s mix of clinical, public health, and scientific expertise is so essential.
Key Votes and Approvals
Several recommendations were voted on and approved unanimously:
1. RSV Vaccine: In addition to being recommended for all adults ages 75 and older and those ages 60 to 74 years old at increased risk of severe disease. It is now recommended for adults 50–59 who are at increased risk of severe disease.
2. Meningococcal Vaccine: A new 5-in-1 “pentavalent” vaccine (designed to protect against A, B, C, W, and Y serogroups) was endorsed for teens to streamline protection when meningitis B vaccination is indicated.
3. Chikungunya Vaccine: A second vaccine option was recommended for travelers ages 12 and up traveling to an area experiencing an outbreak. New precautions were issued for older adults receiving the previously recommended live-virus version. (Also, try saying “chikungunya” five times fast. I dare you.)
A plot twist: It’s worth watching what happens next. ACIP makes the recommendations, but the CDC Director formally adopts them. With Acting Director Dr. Monarez recused due to her pending nomination, authority reportedly shifts to CDC Chief of Staff Matthew Buzzelli—an attorney and former federal prosecutor, not a public health expert. Stay tuned for updates.
Overall, the meeting reinforced why the ACIP remains essential. It’s the only space where scientists, clinicians, and public health specialists across disciplines and institutions come together to shape national vaccine policy for all age groups.
Much more to come ahead of a pivotal June meeting and a test of whether ACIP’s science-based recommendations continue to hold weight.
If you want more analysis, I highly recommend
’s excellent recap here.One Last Thing: Texas Doctor Treats Patients While Infected with Measles—A Dangerous Breach of Medical Ethics
While ACIP’s work underscores the importance of evidence-based medicine, a troubling case in Texas shows what happens when that standard is ignored.
This week, we learned that a Texas doctor who has promoted unproven and potentially dangerous measles “treatments” is now openly seeing patients while actively infected.
I’m very cautious about ever second-guessing another physician’s decisions. But administering unproven and potentially harmful treatments to vulnerable patients while visibly symptomatic with measles, and doing so proudly on camera, represents a clear violation of medical ethics and basic patient safety standards.
But this case exposes a deeper crisis: trust divorced from science. Many families in this community trust this doctor, but that trust doesn’t make his actions safe or evidence-based. This highlights a growing gap in our public health efforts—the urgent need for trusted community messengers and health professionals who combine empathy with scientific integrity. We cannot afford to let that space be filled by those who reject scientific evidence and put vulnerable patients at risk.
I teamed up with
here to break down why this is so dangerous and to elevate the voices of local Texas physicians, many of whom are afraid to speak out due to harassment and threats.Thanks for being part of this community. Let’s keep pushing for truth, compassion, and science that saves lives—together.
-David
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Community Immunity is a newsletter dedicated to vaccines, policy, and public health, offering clear science and meaningful conversations for health professionals, science communicators, policymakers, and anyone who wants to stay informed. This newsletter is free for everyone, and I want it to be a conversation, not just a broadcast. I’d love to hear your feedback, questions, and topic suggestions—let me know what’s on your mind! And if you find this valuable, please help spread the word!