The National Vaccine Law Association (NVLA) shares the concerns raised by national medical associations and other partners with respect to the recent purging of all 17 voting members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and calls for the immediate reappointment of those experts to the committee. It is critical that the ACIP be composed of leading experts who are broadly recognized in their fields and who operate independently of partisan influence. The prevention of infectious diseases through vaccination is a non-partisan issue and recommendations made around the use of vaccines must be made according to vetted scientific evidence.
The NVLA is dedicated to promoting evidence‑based vaccine policy grounded in transparent, expert review. Since the creation of ACIP in 1964, this body has fulfilled that mission for the nation. Originally convened under the U.S. Public Health Service and later housed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ACIP’s members are well-known and respected individuals with expertise in pediatric and adult medicine, infectious diseases, epidemiology, pharmacology, and public health. Their deliberations are open to the public, broadcast online, and guided by strict conflict‑of‑interest disclosures. These measures have made ACIP one of the most transparent scientific bodies in federal service, and a cornerstone of public trust.
Over six decades, ACIP’s independent, data‑driven recommendations have translated directly into measurable health gains with substantial declines in infections and deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases, sometimes to the point of near-elimination of the disease, in every jurisdiction where ACIP recommendations have been followed.
NVLA therefore urges all federal agencies to uphold ACIP’s long-standing scientific independence and preserve its composition of broadly recognized and well-regarded experts who are insulated from partisan influence. A robust, transparent ACIP not only safeguards public trust but also ensures that vaccine recommendations continue to reflect the best available data for the health and security of every American.
This statement constitutes issue advocacy consistent with NVLA’s educational mission and is offered without endorsement of, or opposition to, any candidate or political party.