Volume 406, Issue 10510
27 September 2025
WORLD REPORT The Advisory Committee on Vaccine Practices’ recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination prompt questions and concern. Washington Correspondent Susan Jaffe reports.
The first meeting of a vaccine advisory committee with all 12 of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.’s handpicked members — bypassing the usual vetting process — produced confusing recommendations, condemned by medical associations and public health experts. Even some members were puzzled at times: they decided to delay a vote on one proposal and approved another after earlier rejecting it. They recommended that Americans should still be vaccinated to prevent serious complications of COVID-19, but added that patients should first discuss the benefits and risks with a health-care provider. Physician groups and public health advocates say the prerequisite is unnecessary and will restrict access. [Continued here.]