On Wednesday, the chairman of the Senate health committee voiced serious concerns about the trustworthiness of a federal advisory panel responsible for vaccine recommendations. Simultaneously, major insurance companies indicated they would continue to cover routine immunizations, even if this panel were to suggest limiting their use.
These developments signal a growing lack of confidence in what was once a highly respected scientific organization: the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This committee traditionally advises the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccination policies.
The ACIP is scheduled to convene on Thursday and Friday to re-evaluate guidelines for three crucial childhood vaccines: for Covid-19, hepatitis B, and measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. Notably, some current advisors have publicly questioned the safety and broad application of these vaccines.
Dr. Richard Besser, CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and a former interim CDC Director, praised the insurance industry’s stance. He stated it was “a very positive step that the insurance industry is calling this travesty for what it is, rather than accepting the current ACIP will be able to protect the health of the patients they are responsible for.”
In June, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed all 17 members of the committee, appointing new advisors, many of whom share his publicly expressed skepticism regarding vaccines.
Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana and chairman of the Senate health committee, asserted on Wednesday that any alterations to the childhood vaccine schedule by the newly appointed committee members should not instill public confidence.
During a congressional hearing earlier that day, Dr. Susan Monarez, who was dismissed as CDC director in August, informed senators that Secretary Kennedy had expressed intentions to overhaul the standard childhood vaccination schedule.
Senator Cassidy, a medical doctor specializing in liver conditions, has openly voiced concerns that the advisory body is losing its credibility under Secretary Kennedy’s leadership. He highlighted that routine vaccination of newborns against hepatitis B has drastically reduced annual cases of liver disease in children from 20,000 to approximately 20.
Despite decades of recommendations from the advisory panel, Secretary Kennedy and several conservative political figures have questioned the practice of vaccinating infants against hepatitis B on their birth day.
Should the panel remove the hepatitis B shot from the recommended childhood vaccines, Senator Cassidy warned that patients would be forced to cover the cost themselves, likely leading many to forgo the immunization.
“The challenge here is that insurance won’t cover it, creating a significant financial burden,” the senator explained, emphasizing the need to weigh a patient’s financial capacity against their health needs.
Andrew G. Nixon, spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, refuted claims that the advisory committee would revise vaccine recommendations without robust scientific evidence.
Nixon assured that any forthcoming decisions would be approved by the interim CDC Director, Jim O’Neill, and would be firmly “based on the latest available science.”
Notably, Mr. O’Neill, a former Silicon Valley executive with no prior medical or scientific training, assumed the role after Dr. Monarez’s dismissal.
AHIP, a prominent trade association for health insurers, announced that its members would continue to cover vaccines even if the CDC’s recommendations changed. This move aimed to reassure individuals who routinely seek vaccinations for themselves or their children, especially as fall approaches.
In their statement, the insurers affirmed their dedication: “Health plans are committed to maintaining and ensuring affordable access to vaccines.”
The association further clarified, “While health plans continue to operate in an environment shaped by federal and state laws, as well as program and customer requirements, the evidence-based approach to coverage of immunizations will remain consistent.”
This decision by insurers aligns with similar actions taken by various states and medical organizations, who are also considering disregarding the committee’s recommendations due to concerns about their scientific basis.
Tom Frieden, a former CDC director, characterized the insurers’ announcement as “a huge vote of no confidence.” He suggested it underscores the insurance industry’s interest in preventing costly illnesses by ensuring their policyholders remain vaccinated.
“This kind of action is unprecedented,” he added.
Insurers, including those managing private Medicare plans, committed to maintaining coverage for all vaccines recommended by the federal committee as of September 1, 2025.
UnitedHealthcare, the largest insurer in the U.S. and not part of AHIP, refrained from commenting on the trade group’s actions but released its own statement. The company affirmed its dedication “to enabling access to safe, effective and affordable care, including coverage for vaccinations.”
United advised customers to review their specific plan details but noted that commercial plans would generally “continue to cover claims for Covid-19 vaccines and many of the typical school vaccines, such as MMR, tetanus, diphtheria, and polio with no cost share.”
While most major insurers appear committed to continued coverage, some employers and smaller insurance providers might still opt to follow more restrictive recommendations from the committee.
The insurance sector’s approach to Covid vaccines will likely align with revised federal guidance, though a significant portion of the population will still find their immunizations covered.
Parents, in consultation with their doctors, can still choose to vaccinate their children against Covid, and these costs will be covered by insurers with no out-of-pocket expenses.
Medicaid plans, which provide healthcare to low-income individuals through federal and state funds, might have widely varying coverage requirements across states. Children enrolled in the government’s Vaccines for Children Program could also face uncertain coverage.
States themselves are increasingly charting independent courses. Existing recommendations already differ significantly, with officials in New York and other states signing executive orders to guarantee Covid vaccine access. A coalition of Western states has even formed a “health alliance” to issue its own set of recommendations.
This Western alliance has already released guidelines for various respiratory illnesses, and a similar alliance has been established by Northeastern states, including New York.