Demand Answers: Why Was FDA Flu Vaccine Meeting Canceled?

The recent cancellation of the FDA’s Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting, originally scheduled for March 13, 2025, is deeply concerning. This meeting was intended to determine the influenza strains for the 2025-2026 vaccines—a critical step requiring timely decisions to ensure vaccine availability. No explanation has been provided for this abrupt cancellation, leaving experts and the public in uncertainty. Notably, this is the second disruption of a federal vaccine advisory panel since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. assumed the role of Health and Human Services Secretary earlier this month. Experts like Dr. Paul Offit and Dr. Stanley Perlman have expressed alarm over these disruptions, emphasizing that delays in vaccine strain selection could hinder production and compromise public health. Such political interference not only undermines the scientific integrity of our health institutions but also endangers lives by potentially delaying essential immunizations. I urge you to investigate these cancellations and take immediate action to safeguard the independence and efficacy of our vaccine advisory committees.