The US vaccine advisory panel, known as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), has voted to no longer recommend the Covid-19 vaccine for all adults, marking a significant shift from years of broad vaccine endorsements. This decision, made at a two-day meeting in September 2025 in Chamblee, Georgia, means that the panel no longer advises universal Covid-19 vaccination for adults, including high-risk groups such as those aged 65 and older. Instead, the panel now suggests that vaccination decisions be made on an individual basis following consultation with healthcare providers.

This change follows recent moves by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which limited Covid-19 vaccine approvals to people over 65 or those with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe illness. The ACIP’s unanimous vote endorses this more customized approach, urging individuals under 65 without known risk factors to weigh the risks and benefits before deciding to get vaccinated. The panel emphasized “shared clinical decision making,” signaling a departure from the previous blanket recommendation for annual Covid-19 shots akin to the flu vaccine.

The committee also debated whether Covid-19 vaccines should be available only by prescription, a measure that could restrict access. However, this proposal was narrowly rejected in a 6-6 split vote, with the panel chair casting the tie-breaking “no” vote. The panel underscored the importance of informed consent and clear communication between healthcare professionals and patients about the potential benefits and risks of the vaccines.

This shift comes amid controversial changes in the committee itself. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his vaccine skepticism, dismissed the previous ACIP members in June 2025 and appointed new members, some of whom have expressed doubts about vaccine safety and efficacy. This backdrop has led to concerns about scientific backsliding and confusion among the public regarding Covid-19 vaccinations.

Experts and committee members presented divergent views during the meeting. Dr. Robert Malone, an ally of Kennedy, argued that there is no clear evidence the vaccines prevent severe infection, while Dr. Cody Meissner countered that substantial data support the protective benefits of Covid-19 vaccines. Despite such debates, the panel highlighted that vaccination remains most beneficial for those with a higher risk of severe Covid-19 illness based on CDC risk criteria.

The real-life impact of this policy shift may include increased uncertainty among the public, particularly high-risk individuals and older adults previously urged to get vaccinated annually. Healthcare providers will now need to engage patients more deeply in vaccine decision-making discussions, balancing risks and benefits according to personal health status. Several states had already begun adopting policies to ensure continued vaccine access, and health insurers announced plans to maintain Covid-19 vaccine coverage through 2026 despite the advisory committee’s updated recommendations.

In summary, the US vaccine panel’s new stance on Covid-19 vaccines reflects a move from universal vaccination toward individualized choice, aligning with recent FDA regulatory changes. This evolving guidance highlights the need for informed conversations between patients and healthcare providers to navigate Covid-19 risk and vaccination benefits. Going forward, public health communications and policy will likely focus on supporting these individualized decisions while monitoring Covid-19 trends to adjust recommendations as needed.