US advisory panel stops recommending Covid-19 vaccine for adults

Washington, 20 September 2025 – The Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP) has voted to stop recommending the Covid-19 vaccine for all adults, ending a routine annual recommendation that had been in place since the pandemic. Adults are now advised to consult a healthcare professional to make their own decision.

The vote comes after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced all 17 committee members in June, sparking controversy in the medical community. The panel also narrowly rejected broad prescriptions for the vaccine, including for high-risk populations such as those over 65.

During the meetings, ACIP also revised its guidance on the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) vaccine, endorsing separate jabs for MMR and varicella, and delayed a vote on hepatitis B vaccination for newborns whose mothers test negative. Experts warned that these changes could confuse parents and undermine public trust.

The developments follow months of scrutiny of Kennedy’s approach to vaccines, including criticisms from doctors and public health experts who question his stance on safety