CDC Posts ‘Conflicts of Interest’ Database on Vaccine Panel Members
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a webpage listing information about current and former members of its independent vaccine advisory committee, including what it describes as conflicts of interest.
The New Database
The website was announced by the agency in a post on Friday morning. The new database comes after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vowed to increase “radical transparency” at the federal health agencies.
What’s Included in the Database
The database includes names of members, the dates they served, and what the agency describes as conflicts of interest, such as previous work as a principal investigator for clinical trials funded by drug companies or whose institution received a grant from the industry.
Concerns about the Database
Arthur Caplan, head of the division of medical ethics at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, said the database could be used to sow doubt about the advice given by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), giving a false appearance that members have strong ties to the industry.
Caplan noted that it’s nearly impossible to find anyone with the necessary expertise who doesn’t have an apparent conflict of interest. Often, they are the ones overseeing research done by drugmakers, but don’t own stocks in companies.
He added that the fact that the disclosures are so thorough should give people confidence.
“Many people have conflicts. You’ll find huge numbers of them in the Trump administration,” Caplan said. “The way you deal with them is not just to say, ‘No one can have them.’ You have to manage them.”
Taking Aim at ACIP
Kennedy has previously criticized ACIP, telling Fox News in February that “almost all” members on the vaccine advisory committee have “severe, severe conflicts of interest.”
Andrew Nixon, a senior spokesperson at HHS, said in an emailed statement that the website is “in alignment with HHS Secretary Kennedy’s commitment to radical transparency.”
“CDC released a tool for Americans to easily access conflicts of interest for ACIP committee members,” Nixon said. “Rather than conflicts of interest being buried within meeting minutes, this tool quickly provides the public with ACIP members’ conflicts of interest.”
Conclusion
The new database is part of the CDC’s effort to increase transparency, but it’s unclear how it will address concerns about the potential influence of industry ties on vaccine recommendations. The move is unlikely to alleviate worries from health experts and lawmakers that Kennedy could disrupt vaccine regulations in the U.S.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the new database?
A: The database is designed to increase transparency by providing information about conflicts of interest for current and former members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Q: What kind of information is included in the database?
A: The database includes names of members, the dates they served, and what the agency describes as conflicts of interest, such as previous work as a principal investigator for clinical trials funded by drug companies or whose institution received a grant from the industry.
Q: Is the database available to the public?
A: Yes, the database is available to the public on the CDC’s website.
Q: How will the database be updated?
A: The database will be updated regularly to reflect changes in ACIP membership and any new conflicts of interest that arise.
