The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will continue operating under a charter renewed April 1 that expands its focus on vaccine safety and alters member expertise requirements.
The updated charter places greater emphasis on vaccine risks and adverse events and widens eligibility for committee members beyond traditional vaccine expertise, according to the document. It also adds areas such as toxicology, pediatric neurodevelopment and recovery from vaccine injuries to the committee’s scope.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America warned the changes could shift the committee’s work too heavily toward vaccine safety and adverse events rather than maintaining a broader evaluation of vaccine benefits and disease prevention, according to an April 9 statement. The group also raised concerns about expanded membership criteria, including areas such as toxicology and recovery from vaccine injuries, and said the changes could contribute to confusion, reduced vaccine uptake and erosion of public trust.
The committee advises the CDC director on vaccine use and immunization strategy. Its recommendations, once adopted, may become official federal guidance and are published in the “Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.”
ACIP includes up to 19 voting members and 33 nonvoting liaison representatives. Its responsibilities include reviewing vaccine safety and efficacy data, updating immunization schedules and advising on public health strategy.
The charter outlines annual operating costs of $1,080,340 for federal personnel and internal expenses, as well as $42,750 for member compensation and $83,106 in reimbursable costs.
The renewal comes amid broader changes to the committee’s structure and oversight. On April 6, the CDC shifted authority over member nominations and appointments to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., formalizing a process that gives him oversight of chair and vice chair selections.
The move also follows a series of disruptions, including the removal of all 17 standing ACIP members in 2025 and subsequent changes to vaccine recommendations. A federal judge ruled March 16 that the panel’s reformation was unlawful and reinstated prior childhood immunization guidance.
Unless renewed again, the charter will terminate two years from the filing date.
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