Experts recommendations on RSV and meningitis vaccines will go to
ex-prosecutor now at CDC
[April 17, 2025]
By MIKE STOBBE
ATLANTA (AP) A federal panel of medical experts on Wednesday
recommended an expansion of RSV vaccinations for adults and a new
combination shot as another option to protect teens against meningitis.
The 15-member panel typically makes recommendations to the director of
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how vaccines should be
used.
But in a break from decades of practice, the person evaluating
Wednesday's recommendations won't have a background in medicine: The
agency is without a permanent director, so an ex-prosecutor now at the
CDC will make the call.
The decision will fall to the CDC's chief of staff, Matthew Buzzelli,
said Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon.
Buzzelli is not a physician. His CDC bio touts his experience as an
attorney, including as a federal prosecutor.
The scientific panel's recommendations on Wednesday were:
People 50 to 59 should be able to get vaccinated against respiratory
syncytial virus have risks including heart disease, diabetes and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disorder.
Endorsement of a new combination shot made by GSK that protects
against five strains of meningococcal bacteria, including a strain that
caused a spate of outbreaks on college campuses about 10 years ago. It
would join other products that also target the germs.
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 Adding a second chikungunya
vaccine to the options for Americans age 12 and older who are
traveling to countries where outbreaks of the mosquito-borne illness
are occurring. About 100 to 200 cases are reported annually among
U.S. travelers.
Adding a new precaution for the older chikungunya
vaccine that uses weakened but live virus: People 65 and older
should weigh the risks of benefits of that version of the shot, the
panel said. The precaution was added after panel members heard about
an investigation into six reports of people 65 and older most of
them with other medical problems who became ill with heart or
brain symptoms less than a week after vaccination. The investigation
is continuing.
Its not clear how quickly Buzzelli will decide whether to accept
the recommendations.
The Trump administration named Susan Monarez as acting CDC director
in January, and last month picked her to lead the agency. But while
shes awaiting Senate confirmation, she has essentially recused
herself from regular duties because of federal law around vacancies,
according to two CDC officials speaking on condition of anonymity
because they were not authorized to discuss agency matters and
feared being fired.
Monarez holds a doctorate in microbiology and immunology.
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