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Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today led 30 House members on a letter requesting information from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the department’s decision to bypass independent expert information in the flu vaccine strain selection process and how the department plans to ensure transparency and scientific integrity in future vaccine decisions.

Last month, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) postponed their Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) February meeting - which was set to review the safety and effectiveness of vaccines for flu, meningococcal disease, RSV, chikungunya, and monkeypox, as well as making key decisions regarding the Vaccines for Children program. 

In February, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) canceled a March meeting of their Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC). This meeting intended to review and endorse the composition of the 2025-2026 flu vaccine – a process that has historically included input from independent experts. 

Instead, the FDA issued flu vaccine recommendations without convening either advisory committee. 

“This lack of external expert engagement diminishes transparency and public confidence in the department’s decision-making process,” the members wrote. 

The members requested answers from the department on the following questions: 

1. What was the rationale behind postponing the ACIP February meeting and canceling the VRBPAC March meeting, and why was input from independent advisors excluded from this year’s flu vaccine recommendation process? 
2. Will advisory committees be reinstated in future discussions on flu vaccine strain selection, or does this reflect a permanent procedural change? 
3. How will the FDA ensure transparency and scientific rigor in future vaccine-related decisions, if external advocates are no longer included?
4. What steps is HHS taking to coordinate with other major public health bodies to ensure alignment on vaccine strain selection? 

“Americans cannot afford delays or confusion when it comes to life-saving vaccines. It is imperative that in matters of public health, the federal government follows science, rather than opinion or ideology,” the members concluded.

Find the full text of the letter here.

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