RFK Jr.'s Vaccine Panel Rejects Own Proposal for Prescription-Required Covid Shots

RFK Jr.'s Vaccine Panel Votes Down Its Own Proposal to Require Prescriptions for Covid-19 Shots A federal advisory committee tasked with providing expert advice on vaccine usage voted against requiring a prescription for Covid-19 vaccinations, despite being chosen by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met on Wednesday to consider whether state and local jurisdictions should require a prescription for the administration of a Covid vaccine. After hours of discussion, the committee voted down its own proposal, with several members expressing doubts about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. "We have concerns about the lack of transparency in the development process," said Dr. Meryl Nass, an ACIP member who has expressed anti-vaccine views. "We need to ensure that these vaccines are safe for all individuals." However, other committee members argued that requiring a prescription would create unnecessary barriers to vaccination and undermine public health efforts. "We have overwhelming evidence of the safety and efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines," said Dr. Peter Hotez, a member of ACIP who has been critical of Kennedy's appointment of anti-vaccine members. "Requiring a prescription would only serve to confuse and mislead the public." The vote comes after Kennedy dismissed all 17 previous sitting members of ACIP in June and replaced them with new appointees. Several of these new members have expressed anti-vaccine views, sparking concerns about the committee's credibility. ACIP has historically provided expert advice to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine usage. The current committee is made up of 12 members installed by Kennedy, including some who were appointed just this week. The decision to vote down its own proposal has raised questions about the impact on public health efforts. "This vote sends a concerning signal that our country's top health officials are not prioritizing science-based decision-making," said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. The ACIP meeting was marked by heated and confusing discussions, with some members going off-topic to discuss unrelated issues. The committee is expected to reconvene next week to continue its deliberations on vaccine policy. In a statement, Kennedy's office defended the decision-making process, saying that "the ACIP has always been a consensus-driven body" and that the vote was a result of "a thorough and transparent discussion." The outcome of the meeting highlights ongoing debates about vaccine policy and the role of government in promoting public health. As the country continues to navigate the pandemic, the decisions made by ACIP will have significant implications for vaccination efforts nationwide. Background: ACIP has historically provided expert advice to the CDC on vaccine usage. The current committee is made up of 12 members installed by Kennedy after he dismissed all 17 previous sitting members in June. Additional Perspectives: Dr. Paul Offit, a member of ACIP who was not present at the meeting, expressed concerns about the decision-making process. "It's clear that some members are more interested in promoting their own views than in following the science," he said. A spokesperson for the CDC noted that the agency will continue to rely on ACIP's recommendations, despite the vote. "We appreciate the committee's input and will consider their advice as we move forward with vaccine policy," they said. Next Developments: The ACIP is expected to reconvene next week to continue its deliberations on vaccine policy. The outcome of these discussions will have significant implications for vaccination efforts nationwide. *Reporting by Wired.*