A recent government notice confirmed the dates for an important meeting where experts will discuss and possibly vote on recommendations for COVID-19, hepatitis B, and measles vaccines. This meeting follows the FDA’s decision to limit who can get updated COVID-19 boosters. The advisory panel, known as ACIP, was recently reformed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who replaced all previous members with seven new advisors. In their first meeting, these new advisors questioned the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and debated a preservative used in some vaccines, despite evidence showing it is generally safe. Since then, Kennedy has taken steps to restrict COVID-19 vaccine access, including revoking emergency approvals that allowed broader use, especially for children. The FDA has also narrowed who can get updated boosters, which now target a specific strain of the virus. Currently, Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax vaccines are approved for adults 65 and older, but younger adults can only get them if they are at high risk. Moderna’s vaccine is now the only option for children between 6 months and 5 years old. Kennedy has also stated that COVID-19 vaccines should no longer be recommended for pregnant women or healthy children, a decision that has faced legal challenges from medical groups. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released new guidelines recommending COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 6 through 23 months, opposing Kennedy’s stance. The upcoming ACIP meeting could further limit vaccine access. One of the new panelists, Retsef Levi, who leads the CDC’s COVID-19 immunization working group, has been critical of COVID-19 vaccine data. Analysts predict that ACIP may decide not to recommend COVID-19 boosters for the 2025-2026 season, which could mean insurance companies would no longer be required to cover them. Normally, the CDC director approves ACIP recommendations, but the current director, Susan Monarez, was recently removed from her role, leading to resignations from three top CDC officials. Her lawyers are fighting the decision. For now, Kennedy will handle endorsing ACIP recommendations. Meanwhile, LB Pharmaceuticals, a company developing drugs for schizophrenia, recently filed plans for an initial public offering (IPO), marking a notable move in the biotech industry after a quiet period. Over the past 20 years, many biotech companies have emerged, focusing on advanced treatments like protein-degrading drugs.