Last Updated on July 1, 2025 by BVN
Overview: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) new vaccine committee met to discuss recommendations for vaccinations. The new committee voted on other recommendations, including recommending one dose of clesrovimab, a monoclonal antibody for infants whose mothers are not protected by maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination. However, until the CDC Director is confirmed, the recommendations may not be implemented.
Breanna Reeves
After abruptly firing all 17 members of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccine committee several weeks ago, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ‘s hand-picked new panel met this week to vote on immunization recommendations.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) advises the CDC on vaccine schedules. The new committee convened for the first time on June 25 and 26, in a two-day meeting to discuss influenza and RSV vaccine recommendations. The committee, usually a panel of 17 diverse voting members, only contained seven voting members after RFK Jr.’s eighth pick resigned.
Part of the discussion about vaccinations included recommending seasonal influenza vaccines only in single-dose formulations that are free of “thimerosal” as a preservative. Thimerosal is a mercury-containing organic compound that has been used since the 1930s to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the use of thimerosal in U.S. FDA-licensed vaccines have significantly declined as a result of new formulas of vaccines presented in single-dose containers.
During the panel’s meeting, Lyn Redwood, an anti-vaccine spokesperson and nurse practitioner gave a presentation that focused on thimerosal and a link to “neurodevelopmental disorders” — a link that has no scientific evidence. Redwood is the former president of Children’s Health Defense, the anti-vaccine group founded by RFK.
“We came to this meeting with no predetermined ideas and will make judgements as if we are treating our own families. Unbiased scientific thinking is fundamental to the committee’s charge,” read a statement published by the committee following the votes.
“Our votes are recommendations, but we know that some may perceive them as mandates, so we take this responsibility very seriously. We pledge not to hold a vote if there is not sufficient information to enable evaluation of the risks and benefits.”
The panel voted, 5-1, to recommend that all adults receive seasonal influenza vaccines only in single-dose formulations that are free of thimerosal as a preservative. Dr. Cody Meissner, a pediatrics professor at Dartmouth College, was the only member who voted against the recommendation.
Among the other recommendations, the ACIP voted:
- To approve, by a vote of 5-2, one dose of clesrovimab, a monoclonal antibody for infants whose mothers are not protected by maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination. Clesrovimab is one of two RSV monoclonal antibody products available.
- To approve, by a vote of 7-0, the updated Vaccines for Children Program resolution for prevention of RSV.
- To reaffirm recommendation, by a vote of 6-0 to zero, for routine annual influenza vaccination of everyone over six months of age who do not have a condition that could be made worse by the vaccine.
- To recommend, by a vote of 5-1, for children 18 years and younger to receive seasonal influenza vaccines only in single-dose formulations that are free of thimerosal as a preservative.
- To recommend, by a vote of five to one, that pregnant women receive seasonal influenza vaccines only in single-dose formulations that are free of thimerosal as a preservative.
Recommendations made by the ACIP are typically reviewed and implemented by the CDC Director, but there is currently no one in that position.
The nominee for the position is Susan Monarez, who is awaiting confirmation by the Senate. Monarez was appointed acting director of the CDC in January. Until the position is filled, RFK Jr. has the authority to adopt the ACIP’s recommendations.
