In this Contemporary Pediatrics video interview, Mary Koslap-Petraco, DNP, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, FAANP, shared her thoughts on the recent cancelations of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) meetings.^1,2

The ACIP meeting was originally slated for February 26, 2025 before being postponed. Then on February 27, 2025, the routine VRBPAC March meeting that was scheduled for the 13th was canceled with no indication that it will be made up.²

According to a statement from the FDA published by CNN, the agency reported it "will make public its recommendations to manufacturers in time for updated vaccines to be available for the 2025-2026 influenza season.”²

When asked what her reaction to these committee cancelations was, Koslap-Petraco said, "Well, my first reaction is dismay because it puts science behind. My big fear is that we are going to fall behind on the science. That’s what these committees are created for—they have fully vetted scientists who help determine which vaccines should be added to the schedule or whether an existing vaccine’s schedule should be changed. They also determine the strains that go into the influenza vaccine."

Worries are growing among health care providers that a potential result from postponed and canceled meetings could be the delay in receipt of vaccines and delays for the vaccines themselves.

"I am very disturbed and worried that next year’s influenza vaccine will be delayed due to cancellations of these committee meetings," said Koslap-Petraco. "I have heard that they are supposed to move forward on the strain selection, but I have not yet had that confirmed. It is very distressing to see science being put on the back burner."

Each year, Koslap-Petraco delivers an immunization update at the NAPNAP conference. This year's meeting in Chicago—which Contemporary Pediatrics is covering—she will have to make changes based on meeting cancelations.

"This situation is having an impact. What I am planning to do is review the current vaccine schedule, but I will also go over the ACIP agenda—what they were planning to discuss—to make people aware of what was coming if it were able to move forward. I also want to highlight what the science is supporting so that people understand where we are headed."

More on NAPNAP

There are several more important and timely sessions taking place at the 2025 NAPNAP conference. Be sure to visit ContemporaryPediatrics.com for regular updates and continued coverage from Chicago.

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References:

1. Fitch, J. Tina Tan, MD, on ACIP meeting postponement, public vaccine information reports. Contemporary Pediatrics. February 26, 2025. Accessed March 11, 2025. https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/tina-tan-md-on-acip-meeting-postponement-public-vaccine-information-reports

2. Tirrell M. FDA meeting to choose flu vaccine composition canceled without explanation. CNN. February 27, 2025. Accessed March 11, 2025. https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/26/health/news-fda-meeting-to-choose-flu-vaccine-composition-canceled-without-explanation/index.html