COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance & Access - CDC's new guidance recommends individuals under 65 consult a doctor or pharmacist before receiving an updated COVID-19 booster, potentially limiting access [1] - 26 states, predominantly with Democratic leadership, have established their own COVID-19 vaccine guidelines to broaden access, diverging from CDC recommendations [3] - CVS and Walgreens will continue offering COVID-19 shots to individuals starting at age three or five [5] - Individuals on Medicaid or other government health insurance plans can still get a COVID shot [4] MMRV Vaccine & Seizure Risk - The combined MMRV vaccine carries a small increased risk of fever-related seizures in very young children [5][6] - This risk is significantly reduced when the MMR and chickenpox vaccines are administered separately [6] - Doctors have been separating these shots for young babies for years [6] Informed Consent & Shared Decision-Making - The CDC encourages individuals to discuss the risks and benefits of each vaccine with their pediatrician, provider, or pharmacist [8] - The focus is on informed consent and shared decision-making regarding vaccinations [8]

Vaccine Policy & Public Health - A federal panel's new rules for COVID shots could reduce vaccine availability [1] - The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ASIP) recommended that individuals under 65 consult a doctor before receiving the COVID vaccine, differing from previous recommendations for all Americans aged 6 months and older [2] - The panel also voted to restrict the use of the MMRV vaccine, advising against its use for children under four years old [2][3] - Childhood vaccination rates have been declining, leading to nearly 1,500 documented measles cases in the US this year, the highest level in over 25 years [10] Historical Context & Impact of Vaccines - In 1900, the US life expectancy was 473%, significantly lower than today's 784% due to infant and child mortality from preventable diseases [5][6] - Before the introduction of the measles vaccine in the early 1960s, the US saw 3 to 4 million measles cases annually, with 400 to 500 deaths [8] - Measles deaths declined by 90% in the decade after the introduction of measles vaccines, and measles was considered eliminated in the US in 2000 [9] - Vaccines are considered a top innovation for contributing to health, longevity, and overall human well-being [14] Skepticism vs Pseudoscience & Public Trust - The discussion around vaccines is not solely scientific, as panels are now populated with vaccine critics, some of whom have profited from that position [16] - It's important to distinguish legitimate skepticism, which is part of science, from pseudoscience, as public trust and polarization are key issues [17][19] - Herd immunity is crucial, and decreased vaccination rates can affect many people [21][22] - Vaccination is a public health issue and a shared responsibility for the safety and health of the community [22][23]

You'd think that by the end of an 8-h hour meeting, you might have some idea of what you and your colleagues are actually voting on. Apparently, the CDC's new vaccine advisory committee, handpicked by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.., never got that memo. I'm still not quite clear. So, if we um the first vote has passed already and if we vote no on this item, then what happens.Body and I share the same confusion here. Okay, I'm going to abstain because I'm not quite sure what I'm voting for here. We are rookies and u ...

Regulatory Changes & Recommendations - The CDC's ACIP committee now recommends individuals consult their doctor to decide on COVID shots, shifting from previous broader recommendations [1] - There are concerns about potential increased restrictions on vaccines in the United States [2][5] - The ACIP committee decided that children under four should receive separate shots for varicella (chickenpox) and MMR instead of the combined MMRV vaccine [3] Committee Composition & Approach - The ACIP committee has a new composition and approach, potentially influenced by Robert F Kennedy Jr [2][7] - Skepticism surrounding the committee's approach to scientific decisions has been validated [9] - The committee is placing increased emphasis on vaccine risks, a departure from previous practices [9] - There are concerns about the experience level of the new ACIP members compared to previous groups [8] Specific Vaccines Under Review - The committee reviewed a combined shot for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV), as well as hepatitis B for newborns, and COVID-19 vaccines [2] - The review of well-established vaccines like MMRV and hepatitis B, without significant new safety data, is considered unusual [6]

We are getting a decision now out of this highstakes CDC meeting to change guidelines for the MMR vaccine, measles, mumps, reubella for kids. Basically saying they should all be separate, not one combined shot. You see the meeting happening there.The advisory committee made up of all new members handpicked by the health secretary meeting at CDC headquarters just months after Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. . fired everybody who used to sit on that panel.And that was controversial. That remains controversial ...

Vaccine Recommendation Changes - The CDC's vaccine panel (ACIP) is scheduled to vote on key immunizations, potentially leading to significant changes in vaccine recommendations [1] - HHS Secretary Kennedy appointed new members to the ACIP, leading to controversy and debate regarding the committee's independence [2] - ACIP Chair emphasized the importance of open scientific debate, referencing a boycott by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) [2] MMRV Vaccine - ACIP will vote on whether to recommend against the combined measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine for infants and toddlers [3] - The CDC currently recommends separate MMR and varicella shots for young children due to a higher risk of febrile seizures with the combined vaccine [4] Hepatitis B Vaccine - The committee will vote on changes to the hepatitis B vaccination schedule for newborns [4] - Proposals include testing all pregnant women for hepatitis B infection and potentially delaying vaccination until one month of age for babies of mothers who test negative, while maintaining the option for earlier vaccination with doctor's permission [5]

Other news now, a lot to get to. The former head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Susan Manarez, testified in a closely watched hearing yesterday, just weeks after her firing last month by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. NBC News correspondent Anne Thompson reports. I believe preventable diseases will return and I believe that we will have our children harmed for things that we know they do not need to be harmed by. Polio, measles, dtheria, whooping cough.The stakes laid bare by fired ...

CDC heading into a critical meeting this week. A vaccine advisory committee is scheduled to meet over two days expected to discuss vaccine mandates for COVID BMRV and more. This comes after a report Friday said the Trump administration was preparing to link COVID shots to some pediatric deaths.Joining us now is former FDA commissioner, CNBC contributor Dr. . Scott Gotautle, also board member of Fizer and Aluminina. It's great to have you back, Dr.. Gotautle, and good to see you. What do you think is most at ...