The American Medical Association (AMA) will lead a new, independent review of vaccine effectiveness for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV this fall, filling a critical void left by the US government’s recent shift away from evidence-based recommendations. This unprecedented move comes after years of consistent guidance from federal health agencies now faltering under the leadership of Robert F Kennedy Jr, the current Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and a known anti-vaccine advocate.
Government Abandonment of Scientific Process
For decades, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has been the standard-bearer for US vaccine policy. This committee regularly assessed scientific data and made recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which then informed state and local health policies. However, this system has “effectively collapsed” as the ACIP meetings have become plagued with misinformation, leading to questionable votes.
Recent decisions include ending universal recommendations for the hepatitis B vaccine at birth and scaling back advice on flu vaccines with thimerosal, despite decades of proven safety. The HHS also abruptly stopped fully recommending one-third of routine childhood vaccines in January without consulting the ACIP or the public. Even vaccine development has been stifled, with reports that top officials overruled scientists at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to restrict COVID-19 shots and block review of a potentially more effective flu vaccine from Moderna.
The Stakes: Rising Disease Risk
The consequences of this shift are stark. Roughly 30,000 to 40,000 Americans die from the flu annually, even with existing vaccines. Experts warn that abandoning scientific guidance could drastically increase this number. As Shaughnessy Naughton of 314 Action points out, “Think about what happens if we have none. That is a threat when you have a health secretary that is so hostile to evidence and science.”
A Private Sector Response
The AMA is partnering with the Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP), based at the University of Minnesota, to conduct rigorous, independent reviews of vaccine data. VIP’s earlier assessment of over 16,000 studies found strong safety records and efficacy for existing vaccines, reinforcing the need for continued protection against preventable illnesses. The AMA will hold monthly meetings with other professional groups to set research questions and develop a framework for evaluating evidence.
The AMA states it has a “duty” to ensure the American public has access to an evidence-based vaccine review process, given the current state of government inaction.
The situation represents a fundamental breakdown in public health leadership. The medical community’s response highlights the urgent need for scientific rigor in vaccine policy, especially as preventable diseases pose a continuing threat to public health.
