The Trump administration has abruptly canceled a crucial meeting of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) vaccine advisory committee that was scheduled for March 1. This meeting, typically held annually, is essential for determining the flu strains to be included in the upcoming season’s vaccines.
The cancellation comes during a particularly severe flu season in the United States, with approximately 19,000 adult deaths and 86 pediatric deaths attributed to the flu this season.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data indicates that there have been around 910,000 flu-related hospitalizations since October, potentially making this the most severe flu season in over a decade.
The decision to cancel the meeting disrupts the normal process of selecting flu strains for vaccine production, which typically requires a six-month lead time for September release. And, it’s unclear how vaccine manufacturers will receive guidance on formulating seasonal vaccines without this meeting.
The cancellation follows closely after an unexpected postponement of a CDC vaccine advisory committee meeting.
These developments have heightened worries about the potential impact on the U.S. vaccine regulatory framework, especially given that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his skepticism towards vaccines, now leads the Department of Health and Human Services.
The cancellation of this critical meeting, coupled with the ongoing severe flu season, has left infectious disease experts concerned about the potential consequences for public health and the effectiveness of the upcoming flu vaccine.
Be careful, this administration is a clusterf***.