Statement from Medical Association Liaisons to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on Being Barred from Nation’s Vaccine Review Process

CHICAGO – In response to being notified via e-mail late yesterday by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that liaison organizations will be excluded from the process of reviewing scientific evidence and informing vaccine recommendations, 8 medical association liaison organizations issued the following joint statement: 

“We are deeply disappointed and alarmed that our organizations are being characterized as ‘biased’ and therefore barred from reviewing scientific data and informing the development of vaccine recommendations that have long helped ensure our nation’s vaccine program is safe, effective, and free from bias. We represent physicians who care for patients throughout their lifespan, who share a common goal and responsibility to keep patients healthy and protect public health. We bring to the table real-world clinical experience on how vaccine recommendations are implemented in practice. 

“For decades, liaisons from our organizations have reviewed published and unpublished data and literature related to vaccine efficacy, effectiveness, and safety and provided unbiased input for ACIP’s consideration. To remove our deep medical expertise from this vital and once transparent process is irresponsible, dangerous to our nation’s health, and will further undermine public and clinician trust in vaccines. We strongly urge the Administration to reconsider excluding our organizations from participating in the ACIP vaccine review process so we can continue to feel confident in its vaccine recommendations for our patients.” 

The statement was jointly issued by the following organizations: 

American Academy of Family Physicians  
American Academy of Pediatrics 
American College of Physicians 
American Geriatrics Society 
American Medical Association 
American Osteopathic Association 
Infectious Diseases Society of America 
National Medical Association 

###

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.