Dr. Scott Gottlieb on CDC's new vaccine advisory board: The consequences will be felt for years

Key Concepts:

• Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
• Anti-vaccine movement/sentiment
• MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Varicella vaccine (chickenpox)
• Febrile seizure
• Thimerosal
• Alum (aluminum salt)
• Adjuvant
• Vaccine mandates
• Herd immunity
• Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

1. ACIP and New Members:

• The ACIP has new members, some with known anti-vaccine views or skepticism towards the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was involved in the appointment of these new members.
• One potential member dropped out due to conflict of interest (stock ownership).

2. MMR and Varicella Vaccine Concerns:

• The combined MMR and varicella vaccine is a target of the anti-vaccine movement due to a small risk of febrile seizures.
• The risk of febrile seizures can be mitigated by monitoring and treating fever (above 100.5°F) between days 5 and 14 post-vaccination. This is a delayed febrile reaction.
• Only about 10% of children experience this reaction.
• There is a push to remove the combined MMR/varicella vaccine from the market.
• If the combined vaccine is removed, separate MMR and varicella vaccines would still be available.

3. Thimerosal Issue:

• Thimerosal, a preservative formerly used in vaccines, was largely removed in the early 2000s due to concerns about a link to autism.
• This removal was done to address public perception, not necessarily because of proven safety concerns.
• Thimerosal is still present in about 4% of administered vaccines, primarily in multi-dose flu vaccines for adults.
• There is a movement to remove thimerosal from all vaccines.

4. Alum Concerns:

• Alum (aluminum salt) is used as an adjuvant in about seven pediatric vaccines, including one by Pfizer, to stimulate an immune response.
• The anti-vaccine movement wants to remove alum from vaccines.
• Alum has been used safely for 70 years, and there is no good alternative adjuvant.
• Reformulating vaccines without alum could lead to vaccine shortages.
• The discussion about alum was largely deferred to a future meeting.

5. Precedent and Regulatory Concerns:

• The ACIP's role is typically to make recommendations about who should receive vaccines, not to determine the safety and effectiveness of vaccine ingredients.
• The ACIP wading into issues considered "settled science" (like thimerosal) is concerning.
• The anti-vaccine movement has shifted its focus from thimerosal to alum as a potential cause of autism.

6. Vaccine Mandates and Anti-Vaccine Sentiment:

• COVID-19 vaccine mandates fueled the anti-vaccine backlash.
• This has created a long-term problem with growing anti-vaccine sentiment.
• Measles vaccination rates are declining, with over 50% of states below herd immunity and some below 70%.
• This increases the risk of measles outbreaks.

7. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Role and Potential Litigation:

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is described as a "motivated anti-vaxxer."
• There are concerns that he is setting up a litigation enterprise related to vaccines.
• Two ACIP members previously served as expert witnesses in litigation against Merck but did not disclose this conflict.
• Kennedy has an interest in ongoing litigation related to the Gardasil vaccine.
• The concern is that Kennedy will use the ACIP to create an "official sanction" against ingredients like thimerosal and alum.
• The prediction is that Kennedy will declare a link between vaccines and autism in his autism report, opening the door to lawsuits under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
• This could drive vaccine manufacturers out of the market.

8. Herd Immunity and Measles:

• Measles is the biggest concern due to its high contagiousness and declining vaccination rates.
• The goal is to avoid a situation where lessons are learned from outbreaks and harm to children.

9. Secretary Kennedy's Stated Intent:

• Secretary Kennedy claims his goal is to "open things up" and explore both sides of the vaccine issue.
• However, he is viewed as having firmly held anti-vaccine views.

10. Notable Quotes:

• "When he gets the keys to the kingdom... he's not going to back away from his positions." (Referring to Secretary Kennedy)

11. Technical Terms:

• Adjuvant: A substance that enhances the immune response to a vaccine.
• Febrile Seizure: A seizure caused by a fever.
• Herd Immunity: The protection from a disease that a population achieves when a high percentage of people are immune.

12. Synthesis/Conclusion:

The appointment of new ACIP members with anti-vaccine views raises concerns about potential changes to vaccine recommendations and the future of vaccine availability. The focus on ingredients like thimerosal and alum, despite established safety, suggests a move to undermine public confidence in vaccines and potentially open the door to litigation. Declining vaccination rates, particularly for measles, pose a significant public health risk. The situation is fueled by long-standing anti-vaccine sentiment and could have long-term consequences.