Current and Future Cancer Vaccines Will Require Evaluation and Issuance of Evidence-Based Recommendations  

WASHINGTON D.C.- Earlier this week, the administration announced the dismissal of the 17 sitting members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an independent federal committee that develops recommendations for the use of vaccines for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ACIP has played a critical role providing guidance on setting adult and childhood immunization schedules, which are used by health care providers to properly administer routinely recommended vaccines for the protection of public health.

The following is a press statement on behalf of Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN):

“Vaccines can help prevent some cancers that are caused by viruses and are an essential part of care for people with cancer and their families by protecting those who may be immunocompromised. Additional vaccines that could help to prevent certain cancers are in the pipeline. ACS CAN advocates for access to and coverage of evidence-based prevention and care in the fight against cancer, including immunizations such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Science-based clinical recommendations from an independent body are critical to ensuring access to safe and effective vaccinations.

“Given the critical importance of ACIP, we call on the administration to swiftly ensure there is no disruption to issuance of clinical recommendations for clinicians and patients and the process remains based on scientific evidence.”