FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Doctors for America
PO Box: 21161
2300 18th St NW Lbby
Washington, DC 20009-9996
September 22, 2025
Doctors for America Expresses Concern Over Erosion of Expert Voices in Vaccine Decision-Making
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting this week, Doctors for America is pleased that the Committee tabled the vote on changing guidance for the birth-dose hepatitis B vaccine and voted against requiring a prescription for COVID-19 vaccines. However, we are deeply disappointed at the skepticisms raised towards well established and scientifically proven vaccines that will protect the lives of our youngest patients, including the decision to remove the MMRV shot for children under age 4 from the vaccine schedule.
In the months leading up to this meeting Secretary Kennedy unilaterally changed the COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for pregnant people and children, dismissed all 17 members of the existing Advisory Committee, and removed several professional medical organizations from workgroups. The full committee was not named until three days before the ACIP meeting; as such, the new appointees had not been properly vetted, nor given adequate time to thoroughly review the data relevant to the current meeting. This erosion of medical expertise on the committee undermines public trust in vaccines and will have dangerous long-term consequences to public health. The recent recommendations made by the committee are unfortunately a product of politicization rather than science. ACIP’s recommendations are consequential as they determine patients’ access to vaccines through Medicaid and Medicare coverage and the Vaccines for Children program. Commercial insurers often follow ACIP recommendations as well. Undermining the scientific integrity of such recommendations will only unduly hinder access to safe, effective vaccines, especially for the most vulnerable patients.
“Patients need to know that vaccine recommendations and public health decisions are guided by science, not politics,” said Doctors for America Public Health Committee leader, Dr. Elle Saine. “We call on federal health agencies to restore the role of medical societies and expert clinicians in ACIP deliberations to preserve both credibility and trust.”
This Administration’s decision to terminate and replace the members of the ACIP without adequate vaccine expertise undermines public confidence, weakens the scientific rigor of vaccine recommendations, and risks politicizing decisions that must remain evidence-based. While we await the final adopted recommendations, we maintain our strong stance that science and evidence, not politics, should drive vaccine guidance.
For press inquiries and to speak more on this issue with members of Doctors for America, please contact Alli Everton with Continuum Health Group ([email protected]).
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About Doctors for America:
Doctors for America (DFA) is a national movement of over 40,000 physicians and medical students across all 50 states and every specialty who are committed to putting patients over politics. We mobilize and train clinicians to be effective advocates, equipping them with the skills to influence policy and lead change at both state and federal levels. Our work focuses on three core areas: expanding access to affordable care, strengthening community health and prevention, and advancing health justice and equity. Unlike many organizations, DFA does not accept funding from pharmaceutical companies, insurers, or for-profit healthcare corporations—ensuring that our voice remains independent, trusted, and grounded solely in what is best for patients. By uniting the trusted voices of doctors and medical trainees, DFA drives policy change, defends evidence-based care, and works to improve the health of our patients, communities, and nation. Find out more at doctorsforamerica.org and on Twitter drsforamerica or Bluesky drsforamerica.bsky.social.