Vaccine Panel Chair Speaks Out: Trust, Science, and Public Health

The chair of a key vaccine advisory group is making waves with new recommendations. Martin Kulldorff, a Swedish-born epidemiologist, leads the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This group helps decide which vaccines kids get and when. Since taking over in June, Kulldorff and his team have made some big changes. They want to remove mercury from certain flu shots and limit a combo vaccine for younger kids. Not everyone in public health is happy about these moves. Kulldorff believes scientists should be more open about what they know—and what they don't—when it comes to rare side effects. He thinks rebuilding trust in public health is crucial. "You need way above 90 percent support, " he says. That means listening to people who don't trust the CDC and asking why. He admits the CDC made mistakes during the pandemic, which didn't help.The ACIP is reviewing the childhood vaccine schedule, and Kulldorff wants to take a close look at some vaccines, like the one for hepatitis B given to newborns. He also thinks randomized trials could help figure out the best timing for vaccines. For example, testing the HPV vaccine at different ages could provide clearer answers. Kulldorff stresses that the ACIP is independent and makes recommendations based on science, not politics. He doesn't see his role as pushing any particular agenda. When asked about vaccine mandates, he's clear: "Mandates were unscientific and unethical. " He points to Sweden, where high vaccination rates exist without mandates. Some critics worry these changes will fuel vaccine skepticism. But Kulldorff believes transparency and humility in science will lead to better trust. He argues that removing mercury from vaccines is actually a pro-vaccine stance, despite criticism from some corners.