Delay in MMRV Vaccine Combination Recommended by Revised ACIP, Predicted Alterations in Hepatitis B and COVID Vaccination Strategies
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a revamped panel under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., held a meeting on Friday to discuss the risk of febrile seizures associated with the combined MMRV shot and the safety of hepatitis B shots in infants.
During the meeting, the ACIP voted to recommend against a combination MMRV shot under the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and instead recommended that kids get separate MMR and varicella shots. The committee decided to only endorse the MMRV combo shot for children aged four and up, recommending giving the MMR and varicella shots separately for younger children.
The ACIP's decision was based on the fact that the risk of febrile seizures associated with the MMRV shot occurs in 8 of every 10,000 infants aged 12 to 23 months. The committee heard a presentation by the CDC's Adam Langer, who insisted that there is 'no evidence' to suggest that the risks of 'already rare adverse events' are higher in newborns versus older infants.
In instances where complications do occur, they 'tend to be mild,' Langer said. The ACIP also decided against discontinuing the MMRV coverage for the VFC program.
Meanwhile, the ACIP is considering recommending moving the newborn hepatitis B vaccine shot to one month post-birth. However, the discussion on hepatitis B vaccine guidelines was flagged by analysts at BMO Capital Markets for its 'anti-vaccine' tone and 'persistent vaccine skepticism.'
Panelist Vicky Pebsworth, regional director at the National Association of Catholic Nurses, expressed concerns about the safety of hepatitis B shots in infants due to 'gaps' in the information. CBS News reported that Pebsworth insisted that concluding that hepatitis B shots are safe 'is perhaps immature.'
The vote for recommendations on hepatitis B vaccination was scheduled for Friday, but the ACIP was unable to hold a vote due to lack of time. The ACIP's meeting was described as emphasizing the limited integration of evidence-based medicine in decision-making.
Analysts at BMO Capital Markets are 'more bearish' regarding Friday's vote on COVID-19 vaccines due to the 'anti-vaccine' tone of the meeting. Tristan Manalac, a writer and reporter focused on biotech and pharmaceutical topics, has been contributing articles on vaccine advisory committees and COVID-19 vaccine policies. Detailed personal information such as an email address is not publicly available from the search results.
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