Withdrawal of medical associations from working with the CDC raises concerns about vaccination

• More than six medical associations have withdrawn from working with the CDC.
• This decision may decrease trust in vaccination among patients.
• Three organizations have filed lawsuits against the government over changes in COVID-19 vaccination recommendations.

In the USA, six leading medical associations received a notice stating that their experts will no longer participate in formulating recommendations regarding vaccination. This decision was announced in an electronic letter sent on Thursday, September 1, 2025.

Among the organizations that have withdrawn are the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Dr. William Schaffner, a vaccine expert from Vanderbilt University, expressed concern that this could lead to confusion in vaccination recommendations, as patients may receive different information from the government and their doctors.

In line with the information contained in the electronic letter, the organizations consider themselves "groups with special interests," which may influence their objectivity. This decision has become part of a broader change related to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which was established in 1964 to provide recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding vaccine use, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to the experts, the withdrawal of medical associations may decrease trust in ACIP recommendations among doctors and patients. In a joint statement issued by the AMA and other organizations, it is stated that "the removal of our deep medical expertise from this important and early transparent process is detrimental and unsafe for the health of the nation."

Additionally, three of the withdrawn organizations have filed lawsuits against the government over the decision of the Minister of Health Robert F. Kennedy-Moldshy regarding the restriction of recommendations on COVID-19 vaccines for most children and pregnant women. In response, one of the newly appointed ACIP members, Retsef Levi, stated that new working groups will include experts from a broader range of disciplines.

At this time, HHS officials have not reported who will be added to the ACIP working groups.

Tags: USA/Well-being