ACIP/HHS limbo; medical societies fill void; state decoupling; trust crisis
Key Questions
What is the current status of the ACIP under HHS?
HHS withdrew its April ACIP charter revision but RFK Jr. signed a new May 14 charter that drops tox/data science requirements. No ACIP quorum exists, preventing meetings for flu season, and medical societies are filling the gap with parallel evidence reviews.
Why did ACOG issue its own maternal immunization schedule?
ACOG released an independent maternal schedule with an explicit COVID recommendation amid ACIP limbo. This addresses uncertainty as HHS altered related committee charters and CDC trust fell sharply.
What vaccine policy changes occurred in New York?
New York passed three vaccine decoupling bills and had its mandate upheld by the Second Circuit. The Supreme Court declined a related religious exemption case.
How has public trust in the CDC changed recently?
Trust in the CDC dropped to 50% from 77% in a year due to charter changes, webpage alterations on autism, and ACIP disruptions. Senator Cassidy supported a nominee after the autism-vaccine webpage was modified.
What barriers exist for pregnancy vaccine recommendations?
A new survey shows only 48% know flu vaccine is recommended in pregnancy and less than a third know Tdap, RSV, or HepB. ACOG's independent schedule and HHS charter changes for ACCV/NVAC have increased communication gaps.
CDC 2026 adult schedule restored post-injunction. HHS withdrew April ACIP charter revision but RFK Jr. signed new May 14 charter dropping tox/data science requirements. Medical societies (IDSA, AAP, ACOG, AAFP, ACP, now ACEP) creating parallel evidence reviews. ACOG issued own maternal immunization schedule. New York passed three vaccine decoupling bills. Maryland expands free vaccine program for uninsured adults. Pentagon reversed optional flu vaccine policy; Navy restores flu vaccine requirement. HHS claims ACIP cannot meet for flu season. Trust in CDC dropped to 50%. ASHP and pharmacy partners push back on revised ACIP charter. Connecticut codified ACIP standards. Reuters reveals RFK Jr. proposed $5 billion autism-vaccine study. New study: 86% of antivaccine bills from GOP lawmakers. Public health groups filed amicus brief. Medical groups urge First Circuit to uphold freeze. AAFP published own adult schedule. HHS changed ACCV and NVAC charters. Senator Cassidy supports CDC nominee Schwartz. HHS recommends reducing childhood vaccines. WSJ confirms Trump pressuring RFK Jr. to slash childhood vaccines over autism fears. Now confirmed: Trump signed executive order to reduce recommended childhood vaccines from 18 to 11, separate MMR, and spread out shots; medical community and legal experts say unlikely to take effect. State-level pushback: Illinois IDPH explicitly reaffirms AAP schedule; Maine CDC reaffirms AAP guidance; Oregon follows; Kansas joins. Maine's LD 2071 decouples vaccine policy. Maine expands Universal Immunization Program to adults 19-64, removing cost barriers. ACC released cardiovascular immunization guidance. Cleveland Clinic published risk-stratified guidance. ACP backs AAP schedules. State bill roundup: 400+ bills, 9 became law. CRS report confirms legal freeze. Dr. Erica Schwartz confirmed as CDC director; state policy roundup from ASTHO shows Tennessee lowering hospital vaccine age to 50, New York expanding workforce authority (pharmacy techs, dentists for HPV), and multiple states codifying state-level immunization leadership. ACEP supports evidence-based vaccination policy; New York state and NYC officially endorse 2026 ACOG maternal immunization schedule. A practical article clarifies Tdap per pregnancy, aligning with ACOG schedule. Insurers covering vaccines through 2027 per Medpage Today synthesis. The Alliance for Aging Research issued a statement reaffirming that vaccines remain recommended and available despite the executive order, urging adults to talk to their doctors and use vaccine locators. Virginia's HPV catch-up push for adults ≤26 adds to state-level action. New data: only 40% of U.S. adults immune to hepatitis A, 27% to hepatitis B (JAMA study confirms, with CKD patients at just 14%), highlighting catch-up gaps. ACIP is now changing universal birth-dose hepatitis B guidance, which could reshape adult catch-up strategies. Medicare covers shingles and other Part D vaccines at no cost, but billing confusion persists. ACIP still hasn't met for March or June, leaving fall COVID/flu recommendations in limbo; Cassidy noted Trump's MMR split would increase shots from 2 to 6. Real-world RSV data confirms infant protection; pregnant women on Reddit seek Tdap clarity. Retailer Meijer launched easier vaccine scheduling and expanded mobile clinics, improving access in the Midwest. New controversy: FDA data reanalysis sent to RFK Jr. claims Moderna mRNA flu shot should be withdrawn, citing risk-benefit imbalance. Key reassurance from Schaffner: insurers will cover and professional societies are recommending; new mRNA flu shot is coming but not yet widely available.