A key Food and Drug Administration advisory committee meeting intended to determine next season’s flu vaccine composition has been called off, according to committee member confirmation. The cancellation comes without any plans for rescheduling or explanation for the decision.
The meeting, which typically occurs in March, represents the second recent disruption to federal vaccine advisory proceedings since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. assumed the role of Health and Human Services Secretary. This follows the postponement of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine advisory committee meeting last week.
Dr. Paul Offit, a committee member and pediatrics professor at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, expressed concern about the cancellation, noting that committee members received no justification for the decision.
The timing of these disruptions has raised eyebrows, as reports suggest Kennedy is evaluating potential removals of vaccine panel members. During his confirmation process, Kennedy pledged to operate within existing vaccine safety frameworks, despite his history of questioning vaccine safety and efficacy. Kennedy previously led Children’s Health Defense, an organization known for promoting disputed claims about vaccine safety, including debunked assertions linking vaccines to autism.
The annual FDA committee meeting serves a crucial purpose in recommending which influenza strains should be targeted in upcoming seasonal vaccines. These recommendations typically follow the World Health Organization’s annual committee meeting and help guide vaccine manufacturers in their preparation for the fall and winter flu season.
An HHS spokesperson assured that despite the cancellation, the FDA would still provide manufacturers with timely recommendations for the 2025-26 flu season vaccine preparation.
The WHO is currently conducting its meeting to discuss influenza strain selection for the upcoming Northern Hemisphere flu season. FDA and CDC officials are participating virtually in these proceedings, despite an executive order from President Donald Trump withdrawing the United States from the WHO.
Dr. Robert Hopkins, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, emphasized the potential consequences of these disruptions, stating in an email that vaccine confidence and access could be significantly impacted by interference with the advisory process.
These developments occur at a critical juncture for public health policy, as vaccine advisory committees play a vital role in ensuring safe and effective vaccination programs. The cancellation of the FDA meeting and postponement of the CDC committee meeting represent unprecedented disruptions to long-established vaccine advisory processes.
The situation has attracted attention from public health experts who emphasize the importance of maintaining regular vaccine advisory procedures. These committees traditionally provide crucial scientific guidance that informs vaccine development and implementation strategies.
Kennedy’s appointment as HHS Secretary has introduced new dynamics to federal vaccine policy oversight, given his previous statements and activities related to vaccination. While he committed during confirmation to working within established frameworks, these recent disruptions to advisory committee meetings have raised questions about potential changes to vaccine policy administration.
The timing of these cancellations is particularly significant as pharmaceutical companies rely on early guidance to prepare vaccine supplies for the upcoming flu season. The traditional March meeting timeline allows manufacturers to adjust their production processes based on recommended strain selections.
While the HHS has indicated that manufacturer guidance will still be forthcoming, the departure from standard advisory committee procedures represents a notable shift in how vaccine recommendations are being handled under the current administration.