ACIP: New members meeting June 26,26; AAP liaisons not participating | Image Credit: © weyo - © weyo - stock.adobe.com.

The new-look Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet on June 25 and 26, 2025, for the first time since Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced all members who advise the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).^1,2 The 2-day meeting held in Atlanta, Georgia will take place without the participation of liaisons from the American Academy of Pediatrics, according to the academy's president Sue Kressly, MD, FAAP.³

In a video statement, Kressly noted the recent firings of ACIP members, and stated the ACIP process is "no longer credible." Kressly referred to the June 9, 2025, announcement from Kennedy Jr. via The Wall Street Journal, that he would be "retiring" all 17 members of the government vaccine panel, which led to various backlash from pediatric experts across the country.⁴

"For decades, the AAP and other organizations have worked to shape immunization policy through the ACIP," Kressly said in the video. "But now, with the committee dismissals, it is no longer a credible process. We won't lend our name or our expertise to a system that is being politicized at the expense of children's health."³

The AAP, according to a press release, announced it will continue to hold its own childhood vaccine schedule that is "rooted in science and grounded in what is best for children to remain healthy."⁵

ACIP June 25-26, 2025 agenda

According to the final agenda of the late-June ACIP meeting listed on the CDC's website, several pediatric-related vaccines will be discussed. On June 25, topics include COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for both pediatric and maternal considerations, as well as a section for public input.²

On June 26, the agenda's first topic of discussion will be influenza vaccines, followed by discussions related to chikungunya and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines.

COVID-19

Regarding the COVID-19 portion of the agenda, the ACIP will discuss epidemiology, provide an update on vaccine effectiveness as well as safety, and highlight vaccine coverage and implementations.

RSV

RSV will also have several talking points, including an update on uptake of both Pfizer's maternal vaccine RSVpreF (Abrysvo) and Sanofi and AstraZeneca's monoclonal antibody nirsevimab (Beyfortus).

The recently FDA-approved monoclonal antibody clesrovimab (Enflonsia; Merck) will also be discussed for clinical considerations. Finally, the ACIP will have proposed recommendations before a June 25 vote on RSV vaccines in pediatrics and the RSV Vaccines for Children program.

WATCH: Octavio Ramilo, MD, reacts to the FDA approval of clesrovimab for RSV prevention

Influenza

The committee, on Thursday, will discuss the immunogenicity and safety of Flublok in older children and adolescents, discuss estimates of influenza burden and burden averted via vaccination, and propose recommendations for the 2025-2026 influenza season.

Chikungunya

The ACIP will go over an evidence-to-recommendations framework related to virus-like particle (VLP) and live attenuated chikungunya vaccines, and discuss vaccines in US territories. On February 14, the FDA approved the first VLP single-dose, pre-filled syringe chikungunya vaccine Vimkunya (Bavarian Nordic A/S) for use in individuals aged 12 years and older.⁵

AAP's recommendations

Regarding the AAP's continuing vaccine recommendation schedule publication, Kressly said the schedule will be "developed by experts" and "guided by science.³

"You can trust the AAP will not compromise on science or the health of the children and families we serve.

References:

1. Constantino AK. CDC vaccine panel holds first meeting since RFK Jr. put immunization critics in place. CNBC. June 25, 2025. Accessed June 25, 2025. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/25/rfk-jr-acip-cdc-vaccine-panel-holds-first-meeting.html
2. Final Agenda: Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed June 25, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/acip/downloads/agendas/Final-posted-2025-06-24-508.pdf
3. AAP steps up on vaccine recommendations. The American Academy of Pediatrics. Published June 25, 2025. Accessed June 25, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb2ETtS65W0
4. Constantino AK. RFK Jr. removes all members of CDC panel advising U.S. on vaccines. CNBC. June 9, 2025. Accessed June 25, 2025.https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/09/rfk-jr-cdc-panel-vaccines.html
5. American Academy of Pediatrics will continue to provide vaccine schedules for children independently of CDC. American Academy of Pediatrics. Press release. June 25, 2025. Accessed June 25, 2025.