Two scheduled meetings about long-term vaccine planning were cancelled in the US last week, boding ill for federal health agencies adapting to life under Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the anti-vaxxer and new US secretary of health and human services.
A forthcoming FDA advisory meeting, which would have brought a decision on a recommended flu shot for the autumn, was cancelled with no explanation.
The Centers for Disease Control's thrice-yearly meeting of its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was also postponed "to accommodate public comment".
Public health experts are concerned that without the meetings, lifesaving vaccine programmes may be delayed and public distrust of federal vaccine programmes will worsen.
Forbes reports that RFK Jr is planning to remove several members of ACIP ahead of a change in its vaccine policy and the expected appointment of Dave Weldon, another anti-vaxxer, as the new CDC director.