The impactful Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) committee has issued new recommendations on measles, mumps, levelera and water cell (MMRV) vaccines.
The committee’s members are called the Vaccination Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP), and have recently been changed under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
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As of 5:30pm ET on Thursday, the committee had so far voted for the MMRV vaccine alone, CBS reported. In a 8-3 vote, one abstain from the party, members voted saying that the total MMRV vaccine would not be recommended by age four. Instead, we recommend giving this age group a MMR shot that is protected against measles, mumps and rubella, and a Varicella shot that protects against chicken as chicken pox as two separate injections.
This latter option – known for the shorthand MMR+V – was the recommended option for children under the age of 4. This is just that ACIP is moving to remove the MMRV option from the table for many kids.
Previously, CDC recommendations state that at 12-15 months, children can take one MMRV shot or one MMR shot and a chicken pox vaccine. The latter option is preferred for MMRV shots, as the risk of fever between 12 and 15 months compared to taking MMR and water cell vaccines individually, is slightly higher, and that age group is recommended.
Related: RFK’s handpicked advisors are heading towards a childhood vaccine schedule. Here’s what you need to know.
However, previous guidelines allowed caregivers to choose to give their children an MMRV shot. For example, if you want to reduce the total number of shots given to your child at the time of booking, they may choose that. The doctors helped caregivers weigh the risks and benefits of the two options. Although scary for children and their caregivers, febrile attacks are rather rare, usually harmless and quick to resolve, and MMRV raises the risk of the event to a slight degree.
Following the initial dose of MMRV or MMR+V, the child receives a second dose at age 4-6. At that age, both options are equally recommended, so it is primarily preference and availability.
At today’s ACIP conference, some experts argued that by recommending only the MMR+V option for children aged 12-15 months, it could also affect the way government insurance companies cover the shots. Others noted that the increased risk of seizures has been known for nearly 20 years and is being discussed as standard care with caregivers. The conference presenter also noted that around 85% of caregivers currently choose MMR+V for their children, and 15% choose the MMRV option.
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ACIP recommendations are in part important as they determine which shots are included in children’s vaccine programs that approximately half of US children are eligible. Children covered by this program include those who are uninsured or underinsured. Medicaid or qualifications. Or from American Indian or Alaska.
The committee’s recommendations must be reviewed and approved by the CDC Director to be formal guidance, but the director will mostly approve the recommendations. Assuming this new recommendation is approved, MMRV Shot will no longer be covered for children under the age of 4 in the Children’s Program.
Meanwhile, American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), a private insurance company trade group, announced in a statement on September 16 that the insurance company will continue to cover recommended vaccines from September 1, 2025 until at least the end of 2026.
ACIP also discussed the hepatitis B vaccine today, but will vote for changes to their recommendations tomorrow (September 19th). The committee plans to discuss and vote on Covid-19 vaccine recommendations on Friday.
Following changes in leadership at the HHS and CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued its own recommended child and teen vaccination schedule and said it does not support the CDC recommendations.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated to note that it is 8-3 instead of 7-3 as previously reported.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice.
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