CDC Panel Pauses Review of mRNA Covid Vaccines

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has temporarily suspended its anticipated push to stop recommending mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines, according to multiple reports. This decision comes amid growing concerns within the Trump administration about the political risks associated with anti-vaccine stances ahead of the midterm elections.

The move follows polling data showing strong public support for vaccines, even among voters who favor the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement. Republicans are increasingly worried that further attacks on vaccines could harm their chances in November. The White House has urged health officials to focus on more politically appealing issues ahead of the elections.

The plan to stop recommending mRNA Covid shots has been shelved for now but could be revisited in the coming months, according to people familiar with the matter. A spokesperson for the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed that the CDC’s committee “has not reconsidered its September 2025 decision to classify COVID vaccines under shared clinical decision-making on the CDC immunization schedules.”

The news was first reported by the Washington Post, with other outlets like CNN and The Guardian providing additional context. The vaccines, developed under President Donald Trump’s Operation Warp Speed, are credited with saving millions of lives. They were the first to utilize mRNA technology, which has been studied for over 50 years and is also being explored for cancer and other immunizations.

The ACIP's votes determine insurance coverage for vaccines and access to the shots for low-income families. The committee had been scheduled to meet in February but canceled that session abruptly. Their next meeting is set for March 18 and 19, with agenda items including Covid-19 vaccine injuries and long Covid. However, this meeting could also be canceled if a federal judge rules on a request from several professional groups to prevent the committee from convening.

At its September meeting, the committee voted to change the CDC’s recommendation for all eligible Americans 6 months and older to get updated Covid-19 vaccines. The new recommendation is based on shared clinical decision-making, which requires a conversation with and sometimes a prescription from a healthcare provider. This makes it more complicated to obtain the vaccines.

Continued attacks on vaccines by ACIP, which has historically made expert recommendations on vaccine use in the United States, have undermined its influence. Many states had previously adopted the panel’s vaccine recommendations as their own, but some 30 states now rely on a source other than the CDC for their recommendations.