IDSA Urges Postponement of ACIP Meeting Amid CDC Leadership Turmoil

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) today called for a delay of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting slated for September 18-19, citing a “leadership vacuum” at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and concerns over committee membership integrity.

In a statement submitted ahead of the meeting, IDSA warned that recent firings of CDC leadership-including the CDC director and head of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases-and the abrupt overhaul of ACIP’s membership have undermined the committee’s scientific processes and public trust. The society urged that recommendations be based solely on high-quality, objective data, rather than political influence, to ensure continued vaccine access and clinician confidence.

ACIP’s upcoming virtual session is poised to consider votes on updated COVID-19 vaccines, hepatitis B immunization at birth, and measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) shots. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has replaced all 17 former ACIP members with seven hand-selected advisers, prompting backlash from public health groups and lawmakers alike.

Major insurers, however, reassured stakeholders today that coverage for vaccines recommended by ACIP as of September 1, 2025, will remain in place regardless of any schedule changes. The American Health Insurance Plans group emphasized there will be no cost-sharing for these immunizations, aiming to shield patients from potential coverage disruptions.

With written public comments on the ACIP docket closed as of September 13, and no confirmed CDC director to endorse the panel’s decisions, many observers fear further erosion of evidence-based policymaking. Public health experts warn that any abrupt shifts in vaccine guidance could jeopardize programs like Vaccines for Children and complicate pharmacists’ and clinicians’ ability to administer shots under existing state laws.

• Sources: ACIP-Sept-2025.pdf Biopharma Dive, “A key CDC panel meets this week to discuss vaccines…” HealthBeat, “Access to Covid shot and 2 childhood vaccines may change this week” STAT News, “Major health insurer group says members will continue to…”