Democratic Lawmakers Call for Removal of OB-GYNs from Vaccine Advisory Committee

Dozens of Democratic lawmakers are advocating for the removal of Dr. Adam Urato and Dr. Kimberly Biss from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The lawmakers expressed their concerns in a letter addressed to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., highlighting the doctors' "well-documented history" of anti-vaccine ideology. The appointments of Urato, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, and Biss, an OB-GYN from St. Petersburg, Florida, were made on January 13.

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The lawmakers specifically referenced comments made by Biss during a congressional hearing in 2023, where she claimed that the COVID-19 vaccine increased the risk of miscarriages in pregnant women. This assertion contradicts scientific studies that have found no link between the vaccine and miscarriage risk. In contrast, evidence indicates that severe COVID-19 infections can negatively impact pregnancy outcomes, including increased risks of complications and preterm delivery.

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The lawmakers pointed out that the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, a situation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. CDC data indicated that maternal mortality peaked at 33.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in February 2022. In their letter, the lawmakers emphasized that public health professionals should focus on reducing these alarming statistics rather than politicizing vaccinations, which they argue undermines public health efforts.

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The letter also criticized the broader changes made to ACIP under Kennedy's leadership. The lawmakers urged him to reinstate 17 members who were dismissed last year, claiming that the current panel has been transformed into a "hand-selected group of unqualified vaccine skeptics." They argue that this shift has compromised the integrity of vaccine policy and public health practices.

The Hill

In their correspondence, the lawmakers stated, “The opinions of Dr. Urato and Dr. Biss are not founded in evidence-based science, but in anti-vaccine rhetoric that harms public health as a whole.” They expressed deep concern that the inclusion of these doctors on ACIP would not contribute positively to the health of pregnant women and their children.

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• “All of our public health professionals should be working to decrease these harrowing statistics,” — Democratic lawmakers

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• “What was once a trusted panel of vaccine experts has become a hand-selected group of unqualified vaccine skeptics who have undermined years of scientific integrity and vetted public health practices,” — Democratic lawmakers

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The ongoing debate surrounding the appointments of Urato and Biss is likely to continue as lawmakers push for changes in the composition of ACIP. The implications of these appointments on public health policy and maternal health will be closely monitored by both supporters and critics of the current administration's approach to vaccine advisory practices.

The Hill