The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network led an amicus brief on Jul. 20 on behalf of several national public health organizations in support of plaintiffs in the American Academy of Pediatrics v. Kennedy lawsuit, currently before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The case challenges recent changes to the membership of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, arguing that these changes undermine scientific integrity and negatively affect disease prevention efforts.
The amici organizations represent millions of patients and families nationwide who rely on vaccines for protection, treatment, or prevention. The brief highlights that individuals who are immunocompromised depend heavily on widespread community vaccination to safely engage in daily activities such as attending school or seeking medical care.
In excerpts from the filing, the groups said, “Vaccinations play a critical role in promoting public health, preventing serious illnesses and protecting millions of people with serious conditions that compromise their immune systems or otherwise put them at heightened risk for severe illness from vaccine-preventable diseases. Amici have strong and continuing interests in protecting access to and development of vaccines that are proven to be safe and effective, and therefore profound interest in maintaining the institutional integrity of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and ensuring that its membership complies with applicable legal standards.”
The brief further stated, “Given the implications of ACIP decisions for public health, it is critical that its recommendations be evidence-based, grounded in the latest science and informed by the professional expertise and experience of its members. ACIP’s governing statutes, regulations and charter require as much. The recent termination and replacement of ACIP’s membership, and ACIP’s subsequent changes to its vaccine recommendations, represent a radical departure from those requirements and risk reducing access to and undermining confidence in vaccines.”
Organizations signing onto this amicus brief include American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; American Cancer Society; AiArthritis; American Lung Association; American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology; Arthritis Foundation; Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses; Blood Cancer United; Byrd Cancer Education & Advocacy Foundation; Cancer Nation; CancerCare; Cervivor Inc.; GO2 for Lung Cancer; HealthyWomen; Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association; ITAVFoundation; LUNGevity Foundation; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); National Comprehensive Cancer Network; National Consumers League; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; National Patient Advocate Foundation; Pro-Vaccine Legal Alliance at American Families for Vaccines (AFV); The AIDS Institute.
The American Lung Association is among those supporting this effort through research contributions advancing lung disease treatment, community initiatives nationwide addressing lung diseases, fiscal accountability recognized by Charity Navigator ratings, educational advocacy programs focused on lung health improvement efforts across local offices nationally under President Harold Wimmer's leadership, according to the official website.
