By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to change its recommendation for an early childhood vaccine, amidst a discussion that involved vaccine skepticism. The committee will now recommend two separate shots for children aged 12-15 months: one for MMR and another for varicella, instead of a single shot. This decision comes after a period of upheaval, including the firing of previous ACIP members and the appointment of individuals with known vaccine skepticism. Public trust in the changes is questionable, with some groups already expressing concerns, and the vote highlights the current uncertainty surrounding public health guidance.
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RKF Jr.’s hand-picked committee changed its recommendations for key childhood shots.
It’s hard not to be taken aback, to say the least. Apparently, this hand-picked committee, which is now making decisions about our children’s health, has recommended splitting the combined MMRV vaccine into its individual components: MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and V (varicella, or chickenpox). The immediate implication? Another shot for our kids. The irony is rich, considering the well-known skepticism about the number of vaccines children receive in the first place.
Interestingly, the practice of administering these vaccines separately is already quite common among pediatricians. So, in some ways, this might not be a radical shift for many families. However, where this seems to be heading is concerning. One can foresee a future where the varicella vaccine might no longer be recommended, especially given that older generations often went through chickenpox. This line of reasoning doesn’t consider the potential long-term consequences, like shingles, which, as anyone who has suffered from it can tell you, is no walk in the park.
The rationale behind the change, if you can call it that, centers around a slight increase in the risk of fevers after the combined shot. It’s baffling to me that a fever, a natural response of the body to fighting off infection, is being singled out. Daycare, the presence of siblings, all present a far greater chance of fevers, yet these scenarios aren’t met with similar levels of concern. The implications of these decisions are significant. They feel driven by ideology and a lack of scientific backing.
The whole situation has left many feeling uneasy, a sense of distrust in what used to be a trusted system. And the way the article that revealed this required one to agree to terms that included arbitration and a class action waiver is just mind-boggling. The actions of this committee can’t help but spark concern about the motivations behind these recommendations. And the idea that these decisions are being made by people who might not fully understand what they are voting on is incredibly alarming.
This is a change that could harm our children. The focus should be on making decisions based on safety, effectiveness, and the best interests of our kids, not some preconceived ideology. It’s a sentiment echoed by those who see this as a concerning development, a step backwards into an era of misinformation.
The panel’s new recommendations, which in some ways aren’t new, still carry a layer of complication for families. It’s not just the practicalities of more shots, but also the impact on compliance rates. There’s also the potential for this to set a dangerous precedent, with more changes potentially driven by factors other than science. It seems to be a gradual process of getting people used to changes before more extreme measures are put into place.
The whole situation is just messed up. The focus should be on spreading out shots, it is easier on the immune system, not making things harder. The slight increase in the risk of febrile seizures with the combined MMR + varicella vaccine compared to separate administration is not reason enough to not use ProQuad. It’s worth remembering that, a week of suffering with shingles is something you want to avoid at all costs.
The impact of this new recommendation, which is a step that most pediatrician’s currently do, is one that raises red flags for many. The long-term repercussions of these actions on public health will be significant. It’s more than just a matter of vaccine schedules; it’s a matter of trust, transparency, and prioritizing our children’s well-being.