CDC Recommends Separate Vaccines for Measles, Mumps, Rubella & Varicella, Raising concerns About Access & trust
Recent decisions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding vaccine recommendations are sparking debate among medical professionals and raising questions about potential impacts on vaccine uptake. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended against the use of the combined MMRV vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella) for children under four years old, favoring separate management of these vaccines. This decision stems from data indicating a slightly elevated risk of fever-related seizures in young children following the MMRV shot,a risk the CDC has acknowledged for over 15 years and previously addressed by recommending separate vaccinations.
The shift in advice means the MMRV vaccine will no longer be covered by federal programs providing subsidized vaccines. Dr. Katrina Kretsinger, a former CDC medical epidemiologist, argues this effectively limits parental choice. “This panel has made a recommendation for a practice that’s essentially in place anyway, but removed the option of having those vaccines financed for those who may think this is a better option,” she stated. Kretsinger also expressed concern that revisiting established safety data could erode public trust in vaccines, contributing to vaccine hesitancy. She fears the change will create “confusion about how to proceed, and also doubts raised by the fact that this is being re-examined,” ultimately having “a chilling effect on vaccine uptake.”
Initial implementation of the new recommendation may also lead to temporary shortages of the individual measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccines as manufacturers adjust production to meet increased demand.
Adding to the controversy, Acting CDC Director Dr. O’Neill, shortly after the ACIP’s recommendation, called for manufacturers to separate the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella) into three individual shots, echoing a previous call from former President Trump.
This suggestion has drawn strong criticism from infectious disease experts. Dr. Tan, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, called the idea “absolutely entirely ridiculous” and a step backwards, noting the MMR combination vaccine has been safely used in the U.S.since 1971 to ensure thorough immunization with a single injection.
Merck, a manufacturer of the MMR vaccine, released a statement emphasizing that there is “no published scientific evidence that shows any benefit in separating the combination MMR vaccine into three individual shots.” The company further argued that using individual components increases the number of injections needed and could lead to delays or missed immunizations, while combination vaccines have been shown to improve vaccination completion rates and adherence to recommended schedules. Merck also confirmed that there are currently no single-shot vaccines approved in the U.S. for measles, mumps, or rubella individually.
