CDC Committee to Discuss Narrower COVID-19 Vaccine Guidelines and Reorganization

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC’s) vaccine advisory committee is scheduled to convene for a two-day session. The primary focus of the meeting will be the development of new recommendations, including a potential adjustment to the current COVID-19 vaccine guidelines.

Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos of the CDC is expected to present guidance on COVID-19 vaccine use for the 2025–2026 period. A key proposal involves adopting a "narrow" recommendation for the vaccine, focusing on specific populations deemed most in need of vaccination.

A poll conducted in April revealed that a majority of advisors, 76%, favored a risk-based approach to COVID-19 vaccination for the 2025–2026 schedule, a notable increase from previous polling. The presentation outlines three potential policy options for COVID-19 vaccines.

One option involves maintaining the current universal recommendation for annual shots for individuals aged 6 months and older. Another option proposes recommending vaccines only for those at higher risk of severe illness, such as older adults, individuals with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, and healthcare workers. A third option would combine these approaches, maintaining universal recommendations for those 65 and older while limiting shots for younger groups to those at higher risk.

The presentation will also address how to define "increased risk," considering both health factors and increased exposure, such as living in long-term care facilities or working in high-contact jobs. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will review information and vote on official recommendations, which will then be considered by the CDC in June.

The meeting agenda also includes discussions on the pros and cons of universal versus risk-based COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for 2025 to 2026. Key discussion points include whether any groups should be excluded from vaccination, what data is still needed to guide decisions, and whether a risk-based approach makes sense if most people are already considered "at risk." The committee will also address the measles outbreak and provide an update on literature related to reduced doses for the HPV vaccine.

Committee members will vote on recommendations for various vaccines, including Meningococcal Vaccines, RSV Adult, and Chikungunya Vaccines. The meeting coincides with a major reorganization of the CDC overseen by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This reorganization includes transferring non-infectious disease-related divisions to the Administration for a Healthy America to focus on chronic disease management.