Vaccine policy should be grounded in science

Independent, science-based recommendations of experts have been used for decades to help shape vaccine schedules, guide insurance coverage and protect millions from preventable diseases. But now, proposed cuts and administrative overhaul of critical vaccine boards, such as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), are threatening this trust.

As a rheumatologist, I treat patients with debilitating and life-threatening autoimmune and rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. I manage these conditions with medications that work by suppressing the immune system, making my patients more prone to infections. For over 20 years, I have relied on the input of these vaccine boards to advise on effective vaccination protocols to keep my patients safe.

The politicization of vaccine guidance erodes public trust and weakens our ability to respond to emerging threats. We need institutions whose recommendations are trustworthy to provide consistent guidance that shapes care decisions and insurance coverage, preventing vulnerable patients from suffering unnecessary hospitalizations — or worse.

Now is the time to strengthen expert immunization oversight. I urge our leaders in Washington to safeguard the independence of vaccine oversight panels. Patients with rheumatic and autoimmune conditions deserve vaccine policies grounded in rigorous science, free from political interference.

Amanda Myers

Wilmette