notes from the ACIP meeting held 12/1/2020. Listening to the live CDC emergency Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Here are some key points:

• people in the trials were healthy individuals age 18-55.
• no data on vaccine safety or efficacy among those age 65+ in long term facilities.
• phase 1A of vaccine distribution will be to health care workers and residents of long-term facilities.
• no safety data on any mRNA vaccine given to a pregnant or lactating woman, yet many health care workers on this group.
• no efficacy data on Covid vaccine after 1 dose
• not everyone in the same health care unit should get the vaccine at the same time because it could shut down the unit because of adverse reactions.
• adverse reactions happen with 1 dose but are more severe after second dose
• the CDC is still trying to figure out how systemic symptoms/adverse reactions from the vaccine will be handled, but they are not ready yet. *after vaccine, people will still need to wear masks and adhere to social distancing *the ACIP said the manufacturers will not be disclosing the ingredients used in the vaccines. The ACIP meeting just ended. As they stated, explained, and reiterated many times their purpose in voting was to “maximize benefits, minimize harm, promote justice, and mitigate inequity.” Weird because I really thought that the purpose of the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices would have something to do with health. So here was the motion they voted on: “When a COVID-19 vaccine is authorized by the FDA and recommended by ACIP, vaccination in the initial phase of the COVID-19 vaccination program (phase 1 A) should be offered to 1) health care personnel and 2) residents of long-term care facilities.” The vote was 13 yes and 1 no. Motion passed. It was interesting however that during discussion 3 members stated they had concerns with the lack of safety and efficacy data for those 65+ who were in long-term facilities, yet they will be in the first group to get the vaccine, but only 1 voted no. One with concerns who voted yes said “I hope there will be some level of efficacy with the vaccine.” Apparently although this committee voted how the vaccine will be initially distributed, through their comments it sounds like they have not been given any actual data on safety and efficacy but rather just a report. For those getting the vaccine active surveillance will be done through smart phone based tools (v-safe) from day 0 and ending after 12 months; passive surveillance through VAERS and various large linked databases. Case evaluations will be reviewed for serious adverse reactions and adverse events of special interest. They expect older adults will have “signals”, apparently a new term for an adverse event that they don’t want to admit is an adverse reaction to the vaccine. And they expect health care workers to have “reactivity” after the vaccine, preventing them from going to work for up to a week, another term used to avoid calling it an adverse reaction. Other then that, the ACIP members thanked and congratulated themselves many times throughout the meeting on the wonderful job they are doing. The slides and the meeting will be available on the ACIP website if you want to hear the presentation, questions and answers yourself.