Feb 28, 2024 ACIP Meeting - Public comment & VFC votes

The meeting reconvenes to begin the public comment session on vaccines. The chair expresses gratitude to the speakers and reminds them of the three-minute speaking limit. Diana Olson, representing the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), commends the ACIP for their work and emphasizes the importance of vaccination, highlighting the economic and health benefits. She raises concerns about low vaccination rates for COVID-19 and other vaccines, and suggests measures to improve access and build vaccine confidence. Bob Blancato advocates for older adults' equitable access to vaccines and criticizes the shared decision-making recommendation for RSV vaccines. He references data on hospitalizations and fatalities related to RSV and emphasizes the need for clear guidance to improve vaccination rates.

Martha Nolan, a senior policy advisor for Healthy Women, discusses the challenges in protecting the public from respiratory diseases and the need for clarity in vaccine recommendations. She highlights the confusion around cost-sharing for RSV vaccines and the low uptake of COVID-19 and RSV vaccines among older adults. Nolan calls for clear and concise CDC recommendations to support increased vaccine uptake and urges ACIP to evaluate existing guidance. Hannah Burke, an educator, supports the proposed recommendation for a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and calls for updated vaccines to be accessible twice annually for all ages. She emphasizes the importance of vaccination for protecting high-risk individuals and reducing systemic damage from multiple infections.

Maria Shrieve, a registered nurse, shares her concerns and requests regarding children's vaccines, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing children's health. She suggests making children's vaccines available before the school year starts and increasing supply for higher uptake. Shrieve calls for better planning for vaccine development and implementation, and supports biannual access to vaccines. The meeting concludes with votes on the COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for persons 65 and older, with Dr. Kaslow abstaining due to conflicts, and the motion passes with 11 yes, 1 no, and 1 abstain.

The committee proceeds with voting on various vaccine recommendations. The first vote is on the chikungunya vaccine for travelers to areas with outbreaks or recent transmission. The motion passes with all members voting yes except for Dr. Kaslow, who abstains. The second vote is on recommending chikungunya vaccination for laboratory workers potentially exposed to the virus, which passes unanimously. The final vote is on the Vaccines for Children (VFC) resolution, which passes with 12 votes yes and one abstention. Dr. Chen recuses himself from the VFC vote due to a collaboration with a vaccine manufacturer. After the votes, Dr. Daley reflects on the COVID vaccination vote, emphasizing the need for humility and further discussion on the recommendations.

After the voting session, Dr. Chen comments on the chikungunya vaccine vote, expressing hope that the discussion will not negatively impact global implementation of the vaccine. He also advocates for additional vaccines for other mosquito-borne diseases. Dr. Daley reflects on the COVID-19 vaccine recommendation, acknowledging differing opinions and the importance of considering the points raised by Dr. Kaslow. The chair invites further comments from members, and after none are made, the meeting is adjourned until 2:30 PM.