A key US vaccine advisory committee has voted to stop recommending all adults get the Covid-19 vaccine, which has until now been officially approved for most Americans annually since the pandemic.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) also narrowly voted against advocating prescriptions for the Covid vaccine.
In two days of meetings, ACIP changed its recommendations on the combined measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (MMRV) vaccine, and delayed plans for a vote on the hepatitis B vaccine.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine sceptic, fired all 17 members of the committee in June and handpicked their successors, sparking uproar in the medical community.
The panel spent Friday debating the Covid-19 vaccine, which has for the past several years been a routine recommendation, akin to the yearly flu jab.
ACIP voted to abandon broad support for recommending the jab, including for high-risk populations like people aged over 65. Instead, the decision allows individuals to consult with medical professionals regarding vaccination.
In May, the federal government ceased its recommendations for healthy pregnant women and children.
Discussions on this topic saw varied opinions, with some members arguing there is a lack of evidence that the Covid vaccine prevents serious infection, while others cited data supporting its protective benefits.
Moreover, the panel's recent votes have left health organizations, especially the American Medical Association, expressing concerns over the potential confusion arising from these recommendations.
The ACIP's delay on the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns also raises questions, as previous guidelines advocated vaccination at birth.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s approach since assuming office has drawn scrutiny, and his actions to revamp the CDC's advisory roles have triggered significant backlash within the medical community.
