The CDC’s vaccine advisory group has changed its recommendations for the MMRV vaccine, removing a recommendation that children under four years old receive the shot. CIDRAP has the news.
A hearing probing the recent firing of CDC director Susan Monarez also revealed that she “was fired after refusing to pre-approve ACIP recommendations, regardless of scientific evidence.” She also stated her fear that “diseases like measles, polio, diphtheria, and whooping cough will return” as a result of HHS secretary Kennedy-led vaccine policy changes.
The chair of ACIP “lashed out at recent critics of the vaccine panel and federal policy changes” at the beginning of the meeting that resulted in the MMRV vaccine recommendation change. Eight ACIP members ended up voting to stop recommending the MMRV vaccine for children before the age of four years, while three voted against the measure and one abstained. The group did vote to “maintain coverage for the [vaccine] through the Vaccines for Children program.”
The MMRV vaccine was “licensed in 2005 and is designed to streamline vaccine administration and boost overall vaccine uptake.” Currently, only 15% of parents “opt for the combined vaccine for children ages 12 to 15 months.” ACIP affirmed in 2009 that the MMRV vaccine could deliver the two recommended doses required for protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.
