Safeguarding Evidence-Based Vaccine Policy

June 12, 2025

The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) joined leading medical organizations of the American Medical Association House of Delegates in calling for the immediate reversal of the unilateral changes made on June 9 to the structure and membership of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

CHEST is closely watching the actions coming from Washington, DC, including the Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to dismiss all 17 members of ACIP. We are also concerned with the decision to rapidly repopulate the committee by circumventing established vetting processes. CHEST underscores its dedication to respiratory health, science-driven public policy, and the unwavering principle that medical decisions must be made by medical experts.

ACIP is an instrumental body in shaping the nation's vaccine policy based on rigorous scientific evidence and expert consensus. Its recommendations directly impact coverage and accessibility of vaccines under the Affordable Care Act. The committee’s guidance is especially vital in pulmonary and critical care, where respiratory infections such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and COVID-19 disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including those with chronic lung disease and critical illness.

“In pulmonary and critical care medicine, vaccines are not just preventive—they are lifesaving,” said CHEST President John Howington, MD, MBA, FCCP. “We must ensure that vaccine policy remains grounded in science and guided by experts who evaluate the research and have lived the clinical implications without being swayed by political tides. Advocacy, vigilance, and unity among medical professionals are crucial now more than ever.”