A group of scientific experts advising the FDA on vaccine policy recently learned that their meeting about next year’s flu vaccines was canceled. This announcement came via an email from the FDA, which did not provide a reason for the cancellation. The meeting was originally scheduled for March 13.
Dr. Paul Offit, a member of the committee and a vocal critic of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., confirmed the cancellation. He expressed concern that this could delay flu vaccine production. “It’s a six-month production cycle,” he explained. “So one can only assume that we’re not picking flu strains this year.” This is significant, as the selection process for flu strains usually occurs during these meetings.
The cancellation, along with a delay in a similar meeting for the CDC, has raised concerns among scientists. Many worry that Kennedy might influence the public’s perception of vaccines, potentially complicating the approval process. Richard Hughes, a lawyer representing vaccine manufacturers, noted that timing is crucial in the vaccine production schedule. Typically, strains are selected based on data from the World Health Organization, and manufacturing usually starts in June. The disruption could have lasting effects on public health preparedness for the upcoming flu season.
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Vaccination and Immunization,United States Politics and Government,Influenza,Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Food and Drug Administration,Health and Human Services Department,Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee,Kennedy, Robert F Jr,Offit, Paul A
