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Dr. Scott Gottlieb on CDC's new vaccine advisory board: The consequences will be felt for years
CNBC Television· 2025-06-26 12:07
Vaccine Policy & Regulation - The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has new members, some with anti-vaccine views or skepticism towards the COVID-19 vaccine, potentially influencing future decisions [1][2][3] - Discussions are focusing on the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and varicella (chickenpox) combined vaccine, specifically the risk of febrile seizures, which anti-vaxxers want to remove from the market [4][5] - There's a movement to remove thimerosal (a preservative) from the remaining 4% of vaccines (mostly adult flu vaccines) and alum (an aluminum salt adjuvant) from seven pediatric vaccines [7][8][9] - Removing alum could force manufacturers to reformulate vaccines, potentially leading to vaccine shortages due to lack of safe alternatives [9][10][11] - ACIP's involvement in issues traditionally handled by regulators raises concerns about settled science, particularly regarding thimerosal and alum [18][19] Vaccine Safety & Public Health - The combined MMR and varicella vaccine carries a small risk of febrile seizures, which can be mitigated by monitoring and treating fevers above 1005°F (3806°C) between days 5 and 14 post-vaccination; about 10% of children experience this reaction [4][5] - Declining MMR vaccination rates in over 50% of states, with some below 70%, are setting up risks for future measles outbreaks [26] - There are concerns that anti-vaccine sentiment, fueled by COVID-19 mandates, will have long-term consequences, leading to outbreaks of preventable diseases [24][25][26] Litigation & Industry Impact - Secretary Kennedy's actions are potentially setting up a litigation enterprise, aiming to link vaccines to autism and open the door to lawsuits under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program [28][29][30][31] - This could drive vaccine manufacturers out of the market, as companies may choose to stop manufacturing vaccines due to potential lawsuits [31][32]
RFK Jr.'s new vaccine advisors will vote on flu shots containing mercury
CNBC· 2025-06-18 17:01
Group 1 - The U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has appointed a revamped government panel of vaccine advisors, which will soon vote on the use of thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative [2][4] - The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to meet on June 26 to discuss thimerosal and vote on recommendations for thimerosal-containing vaccines [3][8] - The new ACIP members, many of whom are known vaccine critics, will significantly influence U.S. immunization policy, including recommendations for vaccines and insurance coverage [4][8] Group 2 - Thimerosal has been used for decades as a preservative in multi-dose vaccines but its use has declined as manufacturers have moved to single-dose packaging [5] - Some multi-dose flu vaccines still contain thimerosal, while all vaccines recommended for children aged 6 and younger are available in thimerosal-free formulations [6] - The FDA and other health organizations have stated that extensive scientific studies have found no link between thimerosal and autism, asserting that there is no evidence of harm from its use in vaccines [7]