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HHS published an updated ACIP charter, expanding the committee’s role and signaling a shift in how immunization recommendations could be made in the future; CDC delayed publication of a report on Covid vaccine effectiveness, while an ICER analysis of Covid vaccine effectiveness and value reinforced individual net health benefits.

HHS has moved to renew ACIP’s charter—a move that could open the door to reconstitution of the advisory panel and ultimately impact future vaccine recommendations; Pfizer and BioNTech have paused a large U.S. Covid vaccine trial due to low enrollment, reflecting broader shifts in vaccine demand, policy, and research investment 

The White House has delayed nominating a CDC Director, leaving current leadership in place with limited authority under federal rules; new proposals and legal pressures could expand how vaccine-related injuries are tracked and compensated through federal programs, raising concerns about advancing changes without clear scientific consensus.

The FDA’s top infectious disease regulator is leaving the agency in April along with other senior agency staff; HHS is working to identify the next CDC Director, who must be nominated by this Thursday to allow Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to continue serving as Acting Director.

A federal judge stayed government changes to federal vaccine policy—including the reconstitution of ACIP membership, all votes taken by the new Committee, and the CDC’s January revision of the childhood immunization schedule—while a lawsuit against HHS proceeds; the ruling resulted in the postponement of this week’s scheduled ACIP meeting, which was set to focus on Covid vaccines and vaccine injury as well as a number of topics outside of the Committee’s remit.

Dr. Vinay Prasad, the FDA’s top vaccine regulator, will leave the agency in April following a year marked by agency turbulence and controversial regulatory decisions; a federal judge is weighing a preliminary injunction against HHS in AAP’s lawsuit, which would halt implementation of the new CDC childhood immunization schedule and the upcoming ACIP meeting.

HHS announced agenda items for ACIP’s March meeting, which will include Covid vaccine injuries and Long Covid, as well as two new committee members; the Senate HELP Committee held a hearing for Surgeon General nominee Casey Means, who face questions regarding vaccines, and her path to confirmation remains unclear.

ACIP’s scheduled Feb. 25-27 meeting was postponed to Mar. 18-19 amid ongoing CDC turmoil, including the sudden departure of the agency’s top official and legal challenges; AAP has urged a swift decision on its motion to pause ACIP proceedings, and 15 states filed a separate lawsuit challenging changes to the federal immunization guidance and policy. 

After initially rejecting Moderna’s application for its mRNA flu vaccine, the FDA reversed course after the company proposed a revised approval strategy; the AMA and VIP will conduct an independent vaccine review ahead of the 2026–27 respiratory season in a departure from the CDC.

Iowa advanced legislation to eliminate K–12 school immunization requirements, a major policy break that public health experts warn could increase preventable outbreaks; similar rollback efforts are gaining traction in Florida and New Hampshire; states moved to preserve outbreak surveillance after the U.S. exited the WHO, with California, Illinois, and New York joining the WHO’s outbreak network amid concerns about weakened early-warning systems.