Science Friday AMA Joins Effort To Launch Independent Vaccine Review Panel
Feb 20, 2026
Michael Osterholm, director of CIDRAP and leader of the Vaccine Integrity Project, explains why an independent vaccine review process was created. He discusses filling the scientific gap left by changes at federal advisory panels. He outlines partnering with the AMA, the review’s scope for flu, COVID, RSV and pregnancy, and how the reviews will reach clinicians and medical societies.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Filling The ACIP Science Gap
- The Vaccine Integrity Project aims to replace ACIP's scientific work while ACIP is compromised, not to legally replace the committee.
- The project synthesizes scientific literature so medical societies and payers have current, evidence-based summaries.
Use Societies To Disseminate Reviews
- Partner with trusted medical societies so clinicians receive vetted, up-to-date vaccine reviews at their fingertips.
- Use those reviews to enable payers to authorize payment and clinicians to justify recommendations.
AMA Partnership Adds Legitimacy
- The AMA partnership lends legitimacy and convening power to the independent reviews across physician and specialty societies.
- The Vaccine Integrity Project performs the deep review while AMA helps with outreach and convening.