Statement on Removal of Vaccine Promotion and ACIP Meeting Postponement

Reports that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been ordered to remove public information on vaccines, including information encouraging people to get vaccinated against flu, leaves Americans with fewer tools to make critical decisions in consultation with their doctors to protect themselves and their families. 

Postponing a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices delays vital discussions and needed decisions on a variety of vaccines by trusted and well-vetted experts. ACIP relies on a well-established, transparent and evidence-based process for evaluating the optimal use of vaccines
that play a critical role in strengthening public health.

Taken together, these actions run completely counter to the spirit of the commitments Secretary Kennedy made to uphold ACIP and continue disseminating credible, scientifically-based vaccine information through federal government websites and communications. Congress must hold Secretary Kennedy accountable for these actions. Weakening our nation’s vaccine infrastructure will lead to significantly lower immunization rates and result in many more outbreaks of serious, preventable hospitalizations and deaths. 

Vaccines are our absolute best defense for protecting people of all ages against many serious infectious diseases. The benefits of vaccines overwhelmingly outweigh the risks. Vaccines save lives and we must continue to use them to protect all people. 

— Tina Tan, MD, FIDSA, FPIDS, FAAP — President, IDSA