Breaking: FDA's March meeting to select flu shot strains for 2025-2026 season has been canceled per email sent to committee members, a VRBPAC member told me. drug companies need about 6 months leeway to make shots in time for fall vax campaigns. #healthpolicy
February 26, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Breaking: FDA's March meeting to select flu shot strains for 2025-2026 season has been canceled per email sent to committee members, a VRBPAC member told me. drug companies need about 6 months leeway to make shots in time for fall vax campaigns. #healthpolicy
RFJ just cancelled the VRBPAC meeting to select flu shots (see @sarahkarlin-smith.bsky.social for details). PLEASE call your STATE reps using the script below.
Call to action-Childhood vax/covid boosters (plz boost)
RFK has fired ACIP to replace with his antivaxxers; kid vax + covid/flu/RSV boosters are at risk. States can make their own requirements. Use @5calls.org or @resist.bot to call your STATE reps to keep vax access. Script outline below.
RFK has fired ACIP to replace with his antivaxxers; kid vax + covid/flu/RSV boosters are at risk. States can make their own requirements. Use @5calls.org or @resist.bot to call your STATE reps to keep vax access. Script outline below.
February 27, 2025 at 12:16 AM
RFJ just cancelled the VRBPAC meeting to select flu shots (see @sarahkarlin-smith.bsky.social for details). PLEASE call your STATE reps using the script below.
It’s not just FDA reviewing data & making approval decisions. An FDA-convened advisory committee called VRBPAC holds open meetings for transparency & public input.
Our FDA colleagues who convene VRBPAC are losing their jobs. No VRBPAC & the public may be excluded from the process.
Our FDA colleagues who convene VRBPAC are losing their jobs. No VRBPAC & the public may be excluded from the process.
February 18, 2025 at 4:06 PM
It’s not just FDA reviewing data & making approval decisions. An FDA-convened advisory committee called VRBPAC holds open meetings for transparency & public input.
Our FDA colleagues who convene VRBPAC are losing their jobs. No VRBPAC & the public may be excluded from the process.
Our FDA colleagues who convene VRBPAC are losing their jobs. No VRBPAC & the public may be excluded from the process.
Seeing quite a lot of panic about this news: if VRBPAC doesn't issue recommendations about the strains for the 2025-2026 season, vaccine manufacturers will just use WHO's recommendations. The lack of US input would mean, at most, a less tailored vaccine, but it's guesswork anyway.
Breaking: FDA's March meeting to select flu shot strains for 2025-2026 season has been canceled per email sent to committee members, a VRBPAC member told me. drug companies need about 6 months leeway to make shots in time for fall vax campaigns. #healthpolicy
February 27, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Seeing quite a lot of panic about this news: if VRBPAC doesn't issue recommendations about the strains for the 2025-2026 season, vaccine manufacturers will just use WHO's recommendations. The lack of US input would mean, at most, a less tailored vaccine, but it's guesswork anyway.
Canceling the March FDA VRBPAC meeting is a terrible idea, but won’t affect flu vax strain update. NH vax strains will be selected this week at WHO meeting & @helenbranswell.bsky.social reported CDC is participating. FDA can require updated vax strains without VRBPAC review.
#HHS has canceled the March meeting of outside experts who were to advise #FDA on what next winter's #flu shots should target. The irony of this: Canceling #VRBPAC makes the US more reliant on the WHO-led strain selection process. www.statnews.com/2025/02/26/f...
FDA cancels vaccine advisory committee meeting
The advisory committee meeting is a critical resource for vaccine makers trying to figure out which flu strains to include in their shots for the next flu season.
www.statnews.com
February 27, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Canceling the March FDA VRBPAC meeting is a terrible idea, but won’t affect flu vax strain update. NH vax strains will be selected this week at WHO meeting & @helenbranswell.bsky.social reported CDC is participating. FDA can require updated vax strains without VRBPAC review.
Just yesterday while on PBS News Hour I said that I will have confidence that federal vaccine policy is uncompromised as long as the external advisory committees continue to meet. Now meetings for both VRBPAC and ACIP have been cancelled. I don't like this.
I joined PBS News Hour to discuss the measles outbreak in Texas and vaccine hesitancy. My comments build on a point I made in a NYT essay: vaccine hesitancy and resulting outbreaks are a serious problem. But we should also remember that vaccines are popular, actually! www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
West Texas measles outbreak spreads amid vaccine hesitancy in some communities
There are now more than 120 confirmed measles cases linked to an outbreak in western Texas, the largest such outbreak the state has seen in over 30 years. It's raising questions about vaccine hesitanc...
www.pbs.org
February 27, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Just yesterday while on PBS News Hour I said that I will have confidence that federal vaccine policy is uncompromised as long as the external advisory committees continue to meet. Now meetings for both VRBPAC and ACIP have been cancelled. I don't like this.
Über die Anpassung der Impfstoffe (zum Herbst) wird in USA am 16.5. im VRBPAC-Meeting entschieden. Die EMA dürfte meines Erachtens gleichermaßen entscheiden.
www.fda.gov/advisory-com...
www.fda.gov/advisory-com...
VRBPAC May 16, 2024 Meeting Announcement
This is the main page for the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) May 16, 2024 Meeting announcement and meeting materials.
www.fda.gov
April 23, 2024 at 7:43 PM
Über die Anpassung der Impfstoffe (zum Herbst) wird in USA am 16.5. im VRBPAC-Meeting entschieden. Die EMA dürfte meines Erachtens gleichermaßen entscheiden.
www.fda.gov/advisory-com...
www.fda.gov/advisory-com...
lol VRBPAC member asked about whether imprinting with the COVID vaccines is a concern and I just had the most "put me in, Coach!" moment
May 22, 2025 at 7:21 PM
lol VRBPAC member asked about whether imprinting with the COVID vaccines is a concern and I just had the most "put me in, Coach!" moment
Tune into @angierasmussen.bsky.social and @jessicamalaty.bsky.social's play-by-play of the VRBPAC meeting today from 12:30 to 3:30 et!
March 12, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Tune into @angierasmussen.bsky.social and @jessicamalaty.bsky.social's play-by-play of the VRBPAC meeting today from 12:30 to 3:30 et!
For those who might not be aware, Moderna's RSV vaccine was being trialed in infants (5-7 months) after it had shown protection in older adults and has since been stopped. VRBPAC is in the process of discussing the whole thing today (as well as RSV protection broadly):
www.fda.gov/advisory-com...
🧵
www.fda.gov/advisory-com...
🧵
VRBPAC December 12, 2024 Meeting Announcement
This is the main page for the CBER Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) December 12, 2024 meeting announcement and materials.
www.fda.gov
December 12, 2024 at 9:11 PM
For those who might not be aware, Moderna's RSV vaccine was being trialed in infants (5-7 months) after it had shown protection in older adults and has since been stopped. VRBPAC is in the process of discussing the whole thing today (as well as RSV protection broadly):
www.fda.gov/advisory-com...
🧵
www.fda.gov/advisory-com...
🧵
#COVID19-Impfstoffs zu rechnen.
Über die Anpassung der Impfstoffe (zum Herbst) wird in USA am 16.5. im VRBPAC-Meeting entschieden.
Der aktuelle Status und weitere Details zum Procedere:
www.fda.gov/advisory-com...
www.who.int/news/item/17...
icmra.info/drupal/covid...
#SARSCoV2 #Corona
Über die Anpassung der Impfstoffe (zum Herbst) wird in USA am 16.5. im VRBPAC-Meeting entschieden.
Der aktuelle Status und weitere Details zum Procedere:
www.fda.gov/advisory-com...
www.who.int/news/item/17...
icmra.info/drupal/covid...
#SARSCoV2 #Corona
VRBPAC May 16, 2024 Meeting Announcement
This is the main page for the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) May 16, 2024 Meeting announcement and meeting materials.
www.fda.gov
April 23, 2024 at 9:35 PM
#COVID19-Impfstoffs zu rechnen.
Über die Anpassung der Impfstoffe (zum Herbst) wird in USA am 16.5. im VRBPAC-Meeting entschieden.
Der aktuelle Status und weitere Details zum Procedere:
www.fda.gov/advisory-com...
www.who.int/news/item/17...
icmra.info/drupal/covid...
#SARSCoV2 #Corona
Über die Anpassung der Impfstoffe (zum Herbst) wird in USA am 16.5. im VRBPAC-Meeting entschieden.
Der aktuelle Status und weitere Details zum Procedere:
www.fda.gov/advisory-com...
www.who.int/news/item/17...
icmra.info/drupal/covid...
#SARSCoV2 #Corona
Holy crap, HHS cancelled VRBPAC.
(For non-public health people: This is the US contribution to the WHO-led identification and selection of flu strains for the next flu shot. There are other countries contributing. But US labs and expertise have always been a huge factor in the final agreement.)
(For non-public health people: This is the US contribution to the WHO-led identification and selection of flu strains for the next flu shot. There are other countries contributing. But US labs and expertise have always been a huge factor in the final agreement.)
w/ story link: Breaking: FDA's March meeting to select flu shot strains for 2025-2026 season has been canceled per email sent to committee members. Drug cos need about 6 months leeway to make shots in time for fall vax campaigns. w/ story link:
insights.citeline.com/pink-sheet/v...
#healthpolicy
insights.citeline.com/pink-sheet/v...
#healthpolicy
Breaking: US FDA Cancels Upcoming Adcomm Discussing 2025-2026 Flu Vaccine
The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting next month was scheduled to select strains for the 2025-2026 flu vaccine. The cancelation could mean delays in vaccine availabil...
insights.citeline.com
February 27, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Holy crap, HHS cancelled VRBPAC.
(For non-public health people: This is the US contribution to the WHO-led identification and selection of flu strains for the next flu shot. There are other countries contributing. But US labs and expertise have always been a huge factor in the final agreement.)
(For non-public health people: This is the US contribution to the WHO-led identification and selection of flu strains for the next flu shot. There are other countries contributing. But US labs and expertise have always been a huge factor in the final agreement.)
The March 13 meeting of outside advisers to the FDA (VRBPAC) to discuss the flu vaccine composition for this fall was abruptly canceled this afternoon with no explanation, VRBPAC member Dr Paul Offit tells us. Unclear if/when it will be rescheduled.
February 26, 2025 at 11:18 PM
The March 13 meeting of outside advisers to the FDA (VRBPAC) to discuss the flu vaccine composition for this fall was abruptly canceled this afternoon with no explanation, VRBPAC member Dr Paul Offit tells us. Unclear if/when it will be rescheduled.
@jeremyfaust.bsky.social’s reporting on the cancelled VRBPAC meeting includes this important context.
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/scoop-fda-...
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/scoop-fda-...
February 27, 2025 at 2:49 AM
@jeremyfaust.bsky.social’s reporting on the cancelled VRBPAC meeting includes this important context.
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/scoop-fda-...
insidemedicine.substack.com/p/scoop-fda-...
Before getting into this, it's worth noting that there is an upcoming ACIP meeting that was going to discuss COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and a VRBPAC meeting on Thursday for strain selection. The timing here seems to intentionally undermine those proceedings.
May 20, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Before getting into this, it's worth noting that there is an upcoming ACIP meeting that was going to discuss COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and a VRBPAC meeting on Thursday for strain selection. The timing here seems to intentionally undermine those proceedings.
The #VRBPAC committee is scheduled to meet Thursday to advise #FDA on #flu vaccine strain selection for next winter's shots. VRBPAC is supposed to have at least 15 members. It currently has 7 voting members & no chair. It has been convened only twice since Jan. 2025. www.fda.gov/advisory-com...
Roster of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Adv Cmte
This is the Roster of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee
www.fda.gov
March 9, 2026 at 12:57 PM
The #VRBPAC committee is scheduled to meet Thursday to advise #FDA on #flu vaccine strain selection for next winter's shots. VRBPAC is supposed to have at least 15 members. It currently has 7 voting members & no chair. It has been convened only twice since Jan. 2025. www.fda.gov/advisory-com...
2. VRBPAC meeting (FDA’s vaccine advisors). Cancelled = No transparency on vaccine safety, effectiveness, or formula selection.
3. Public comment on HHS decisions. Removed = No public input on how taxpayer $$ is spent
3. Public comment on HHS decisions. Removed = No public input on how taxpayer $$ is spent
February 28, 2025 at 9:26 PM
2. VRBPAC meeting (FDA’s vaccine advisors). Cancelled = No transparency on vaccine safety, effectiveness, or formula selection.
3. Public comment on HHS decisions. Removed = No public input on how taxpayer $$ is spent
3. Public comment on HHS decisions. Removed = No public input on how taxpayer $$ is spent
ACTION ITEM:
Please submit public comments in support of vaccines for the VRBPAC meeting on May 22. You can click Anonymous if you like. www.regulations.gov/docket/FDA-2...
You can also sign up for oral comments here: qualtricsxmjqffz4ktl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Please submit public comments in support of vaccines for the VRBPAC meeting on May 22. You can click Anonymous if you like. www.regulations.gov/docket/FDA-2...
You can also sign up for oral comments here: qualtricsxmjqffz4ktl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Regulations.gov
www.regulations.gov
May 9, 2025 at 11:27 PM
ACTION ITEM:
Please submit public comments in support of vaccines for the VRBPAC meeting on May 22. You can click Anonymous if you like. www.regulations.gov/docket/FDA-2...
You can also sign up for oral comments here: qualtricsxmjqffz4ktl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Please submit public comments in support of vaccines for the VRBPAC meeting on May 22. You can click Anonymous if you like. www.regulations.gov/docket/FDA-2...
You can also sign up for oral comments here: qualtricsxmjqffz4ktl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Companies don’t need the VRBPAC meeting to decide vaccine strains. That comes from WHO meeting on Friday. US just needs VRBPAC to approve for renewal of license. But it is a basically a rubber stamp. If they meet a little late it shouldn’t affect. Now if they never meet then there is trouble
February 27, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Companies don’t need the VRBPAC meeting to decide vaccine strains. That comes from WHO meeting on Friday. US just needs VRBPAC to approve for renewal of license. But it is a basically a rubber stamp. If they meet a little late it shouldn’t affect. Now if they never meet then there is trouble
The difference between an ordinary flu season and a bad flu season is around 40,000 dead people, and the cancellation of the VRBPAC meeting is an early indication that this administration is leaning towards very bad.
Wild that the day after the FDA is like "Eh, maybe no flu vax next year lol" the CDC drops a report about how children and adolescents who got a flu vaccine were 32%–60% less likely to visit a doctor because of flu and 63%–78% less likely to be hospitalized.
Interim Estimates of 2024–2025 Seasonal ...
This report describes interim 2024–2025 seasonal flu vaccine effectiveness estimates in outpatient settings and against flu-associated hospitalizations.
www.cdc.gov
February 27, 2025 at 6:50 PM
The difference between an ordinary flu season and a bad flu season is around 40,000 dead people, and the cancellation of the VRBPAC meeting is an early indication that this administration is leaning towards very bad.
I should also add: there are many critical aspects about the biology of coronaviruses that we didn’t understand until after the pandemic had set in and the effects of not having that knowledge were quite damaging. For example, in a VRBPAC meeting, Stanley Perlman, a coronavirologist,…
March 25, 2025 at 2:45 AM
I should also add: there are many critical aspects about the biology of coronaviruses that we didn’t understand until after the pandemic had set in and the effects of not having that knowledge were quite damaging. For example, in a VRBPAC meeting, Stanley Perlman, a coronavirologist,…
COWARD Bill Cassidy did this. American #Flu illnesses and deaths will be on him.
#FDA #VRBPAC #GetYourFluShot #FightFlu #MedSky #FireRepublicans
#FDA #VRBPAC #GetYourFluShot #FightFlu #MedSky #FireRepublicans
February 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM
COWARD Bill Cassidy did this. American #Flu illnesses and deaths will be on him.
#FDA #VRBPAC #GetYourFluShot #FightFlu #MedSky #FireRepublicans
#FDA #VRBPAC #GetYourFluShot #FightFlu #MedSky #FireRepublicans
Quick takes:
-Upcoming VRBPAC meeting
-Salmonella tied to moringa powder
-Lyme surge in UK
Read more: ow.ly/SlUV50Z4Vv4.
-Upcoming VRBPAC meeting
-Salmonella tied to moringa powder
-Lyme surge in UK
Read more: ow.ly/SlUV50Z4Vv4.
Quick takes: Upcoming VRBPAC meeting, Salmonella tied to moringa powder, Lyme surge in UK
The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will decide tomorrow on the composition of next fall’s COVID vaccine.
ow.ly
May 27, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Quick takes:
-Upcoming VRBPAC meeting
-Salmonella tied to moringa powder
-Lyme surge in UK
Read more: ow.ly/SlUV50Z4Vv4.
-Upcoming VRBPAC meeting
-Salmonella tied to moringa powder
-Lyme surge in UK
Read more: ow.ly/SlUV50Z4Vv4.
All voting VRBPAC members have recommended a monovalent JN.1 lineage vaccine for the 2025-2026 formulation;
This does not mean that JN.1 itself will be the spike in the vaccine- JN.1 lineage includes many subvariants including LP.8.1 etc. VRBPAC is discussing which one would be best now.
This does not mean that JN.1 itself will be the spike in the vaccine- JN.1 lineage includes many subvariants including LP.8.1 etc. VRBPAC is discussing which one would be best now.
May 22, 2025 at 6:51 PM
All voting VRBPAC members have recommended a monovalent JN.1 lineage vaccine for the 2025-2026 formulation;
This does not mean that JN.1 itself will be the spike in the vaccine- JN.1 lineage includes many subvariants including LP.8.1 etc. VRBPAC is discussing which one would be best now.
This does not mean that JN.1 itself will be the spike in the vaccine- JN.1 lineage includes many subvariants including LP.8.1 etc. VRBPAC is discussing which one would be best now.