The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed on Thursday that it has canceled a meeting of its independent advisory panel tasked with discussing the composition of this year’s flu vaccine. Instead, the regulator will issue its recommendations directly to manufacturers to ensure updated vaccines are available for the 2025-26 influenza season.
The canceled meeting, originally scheduled for March 13, marks the second disruption to vaccine-related advisory panels since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. assumed leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services earlier this month. Last week, the department postponed a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine advisory meeting to allow for more public comment.
The FDA did not provide a reason for the cancellation, but the move has raised concerns among public health experts. Dr. Tina Tan, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, criticized the decision, calling it “irresponsible” and a disregard for science and public health. She emphasized that the U.S. is currently experiencing its worst flu season in over a decade, making the meeting’s cancellation particularly concerning.
However, former U.S. health official Rick Bright downplayed the impact, noting that U.S. experts have already participated in World Health Organization (WHO) meetings to select flu strains for the 2025-26 season. Bright stated on social media that the FDA has historically aligned with WHO recommendations, suggesting that the cancellation may not significantly delay or alter the vaccine development process.
The FDA’s decision comes amid heightened scrutiny of vaccine-related policies and public health priorities under the new administration. While the agency assured that its recommendations will be made public in time for vaccine production, the cancellation has sparked debate over the balance between scientific rigor and administrative efficiency in public health decision-making.