Statement from the American Nurses Association on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Restructuring of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices
MEDIA CONTACT: newsroom@ana.org
ANA Urges Inclusion of Nurses and Healthcare Experts on ACIP to Restore Public Trust in Vaccines and Reinforce Evidence-Based Policy
SILVER SPRING, MD – The American Nurses Association (ANA) is concerned by the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recent action to restructure the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). While the intent may be to restore integrity and public trust in vaccine science, this sweeping action risks achieving the opposite.
ANA acknowledges that the previous Administration took unprecedented action that prevented this Administration from selecting ACIP representatives through the normal application and nomination process. While we understand the impetus to establish leadership in the process, we are concerned that the complete removal of all ACIP members could further erode public confidence in both the process and vaccines themselves. Restoring trust in vaccines is critical to safeguard public health, ensuring all children reach adulthood, and enabling all Americans to live healthy, productive lives.
Vaccines are foundational to public health. They protect individuals, families, and communities from preventable disease, and they remain a cornerstone of our national and global response to emerging health threats. The public must trust not only the science behind vaccines, but the processes by which decisions are made about their use. That trust is built through transparency, consistency, and representation of frontline perspectives.
ANA urges HHS to ensure the nursing perspective is meaningfully represented as new ACIP members are selected. Nurses play a vital role in immunization efforts: they educate patients, advocate for accessible vaccination practices, and uphold immunization recommendations. Nurses are often the first line of defense against vaccine-preventable diseases and bring essential, evidence-based insight to any conversation on public health.
As the most trusted profession in the United States, nurses understand their ethical obligation to advance evidence-based approaches and to provide the best available information for patients and the public. Their expertise, clinical experience, and leadership in both community and acute care settings make them indispensable voices in national vaccine policy discussions. ANA stands ready to support HHS in identifying qualified nurses to serve on ACIP and contribute to restoring public trust in immunization practices.
ANA remains committed to engaging in this important dialogue and supporting efforts that center public health, science, and evidence-based practice. We look forward to continuing collaboration with HHS to ensure nurses—and the patients they serve—are represented in critical public health decisions.
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About the American Nurses Association
As the oldest organization representing more than 5 million registered nurses, the American Nurses Association stands at the forefront of advancing nursing excellence. The association harnesses The Power of Nurses™ to champion the profession and drive transformation in healthcare. Through legislative and political advocacy, comprehensive educational services, and the profession’s leading Code of Ethics and Scope and Standards, the association empowers nurses across every specialty and practice setting. The association is committed to ensuring healthy work environments, shaping pioneering policies, and cultivating partnerships that enhance both the nursing profession and the broader healthcare experience.