US Vaccine Panel Withdraws Universal COVID Jab Recommendation

In a landmark move, the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (Acip) has voted to halt its broad recommendation for all adults to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, ending a routine practice that had mirrored the annual flu shot. The decision also extends to high-risk groups such as individuals over 65, marking a dramatic shift in the country’s vaccination policy.

Now, instead of a standing recommendation, individuals will be encouraged to consult their healthcare providers before opting for the jab. The vote came after two days of intense debate, particularly around the vaccine’s efficacy in preventing severe illness, with committee member Dr. Robert Malone stating there was “no clear evidence” the vaccine reduces serious infection.

The shift follows the controversial June decision by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior, a vocal vaccine skeptic, to fire all 17 original Acip members and replace them with handpicked successors. The move sparked criticism across the medical field, with many experts concerned about political interference in public health policy. During the same session, the committee also altered its stance on the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) vaccine and postponed a vote on hepatitis B. Notably, in May, federal guidelines had already stopped recommending COVID-19 vaccines for healthy pregnant women and children, signaling a broader rollback of pandemic-era health policies.