News & Insights

Late last week, the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, which advises the Centers for Disease Control on vaccine safety and efficacy, recommended changes to the childhood vaccine schedule.

What’s going on: ACIP voted on a recommendation that children age 4 and under no longer receive the combined measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine but instead receive two separate shots: one to vaccinate against measles, mumps, and rubella, and a separate varicella (chickenpox) shot.

Why it matters: The Vaccines for Children Program, and other federal health programs such as Medicaid, use ACIP recommendations to determine vaccine coverage. The committee’s vote—assuming the CDC director approves the recommendation, which is expected—means that these programs likely will no longer cover the MMRV shot for children under the age of 4.

• The combined MMRV vaccine has been proven safe and effective, according to the CDC itself.
• The vote also means private health insurers are no longer required to cover these vaccines. However, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) said its members will continue coverage of these and other previously recommended vaccines through the end of 2026.

What’s next: Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill must approve ACIP’s recommendations. In the past, CDC directors have almost always taken recommendations from ACIP.

• Some states, including California, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington, have issued their own guidance in an attempt to maintain access to these vaccines.

The NAM says: “Vaccines have revolutionized public health, saved millions from serious and deadly illnesses, and insulated our economy from destabilizing epidemics,” said NAM Vice President of Domestic Policy Jake Kuhns. “Continued access to immunizations is important to help keep manufacturing workers and their families safe and healthy.”