COVID-19 Vaccine Access Under Scrutiny: CDC Advisory Panel Faces Challenges

Sun Oct 12 2025 11:22:07 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Amid rising COVID-19 cases, the CDC's new vaccine advisory panel, led by health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is grappling with issues around vaccine access for the updated COVID-19 shots. The meeting leaves many questions unanswered, especially for low-income families.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, chaired by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is tasked with determining who qualifies for updated COVID-19 vaccines. With new FDA restrictions applying to those most at risk, confusion surrounds vaccine accessibility, particularly for low-income families. This comes as Covid-19 infections rise, alongside concerns about other immunization recommendations.

ATLANTA (AP) — The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is once again under scrutiny as the **CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)** convenes under the leadership of Health Secretary **Robert F. Kennedy Jr.** The committee postponed a crucial vote Friday regarding immunization recommendations for newborns while attempting to address community frustrations regarding access and eligibility for updated COVID-19 vaccines amid rising infection rates.

Recent FDA updates have imposed new restrictions on COVID-19 vaccines produced by big pharmaceutical companies such as **Pfizer, Moderna,** and **Novavax**. These updates limit vaccines primarily to individuals aged 65 and over, or younger individuals deemed at high risk due to underlying health conditions. Thus, the ACIP's recommendations will significantly influence insurance coverage and the ability of pharmacists in certain states to provide these vaccines.

Dr. **Phil Huang**, a family physician and director of Dallas County health and human services, expressed his impatience saying, “We’re anxiously awaiting what’s going to happen.” He mentioned the significant impact these decisions will have, especially on low-income families who rely on federally funded health programs. However, he remarked that the ongoing uncertainty is contributing to widespread public confusion about vaccine eligibility.

Critics of Kennedy's leadership on this panel are mindful of potential new restrictions on already established immunization protocols, raising concerns about public health impact. The deliberations of the ACIP have also left the fate of the hepatitis B vaccine, which has been routinely administered to newborns, unsettled as discussions continue.

Traditionally, the ACIP has recommended immediate hepatitis B vaccinations at birth, but the current climate has led to hesitations about this recommendation amid criticisms from pediatric and infectious disease experts advocating for its safety and efficacy. Confusion is compounded by the recent panel decision to recommend the separation of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines from chickenpox shots for children under four years old.

Medical associations including the **American Academy of Pediatrics** have urged the committee to reconsider the broadening access to vaccines, asserting that availability should extend to all individuals above the age of six months, including pregnant women, similar to past years.

Nevertheless, several states are proactively implementing policies aimed at ensuring access to vaccines, regardless of the committee's eventual decision, with health insurers affirming a commitment to cover vaccine costs through 2026.