AMA launches its own vaccine safety and effectiveness review system.

The American Medical Association announced a new evidence-based review process for vaccine safety and effectiveness for the next respiratory viral season, conducted with CIDRAP's Vaccine Integrity Project and focused on flu, COVID-19 and RSV. The move follows changes to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices after HHS replaced its members.

The American Medical Association announced it will run an independent, evidence-based review process of vaccine safety and effectiveness for the next respiratory viral season. The AMA said it will work with the Vaccine Integrity Project at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. The review will focus on immunizations for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV. The announcement frames the effort as a response to recent changes at the federal advisory panel for vaccines. Key facts: - The AMA announced the launch of an evidence-based review process covering vaccine safety and effectiveness for the coming respiratory viral season. - The review will be conducted in collaboration with the Vaccine Integrity Project at CIDRAP, University of Minnesota. - The review will focus on flu, COVID-19 and RSV immunizations. - The AMA criticized the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed all sitting ACIP members and appointed new members; the reconstituted panel has voted to delay or no longer recommend some childhood immunizations, including the birth dose of hepatitis B and the combined measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox vaccine. - HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said the claim that ACIP's evidence-based process has collapsed is "categorically false" and that ACIP remains the nation's advisory body for vaccine use recommendations. Summary: The AMA said it will meet with leading medical societies and public health organizations to develop policy questions and carry out ongoing evaluations of vaccine data. HHS has publicly rejected the AMA's characterization of the federal advisory process. Undetermined at this time.