AMA and VIP to Review Vaccine Evidence

The two organizations say they are doing what CDC's ACIP has failed to do.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Two medical organizations, the Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP) and the American Medical Association (AMA), are joining together to produce evidence reviews for respiratory virus vaccines, stepping into a gap they say has been created by the 'collapse' of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Why it matters

The groups say the ACIP has abandoned its evidence-based review process, and they aim to restore transparency and public trust in the vaccine recommendation process.

The details

The VIP and AMA will convene an evidence-based review process to assess the safety and effectiveness of influenza, COVID, and respiratory syncytial virus vaccines for the 2026-27 season. They say their goal is to 'build on our efforts to restore peace of mind for clinicians and patients by ensuring that experts are continuously evaluating vaccine safety and effectiveness using transparent, evidence-based methods'.

  • The VIP has previously conducted evidence reviews for vaccines for the 2025-26 respiratory virus vaccines, the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, and is beginning one on the human papilloma virus vaccine.
  • The new joint effort with the AMA will meet with medical societies to determine which questions need to be answered for the winter 2026-27 respiratory vaccines.

The players

Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP)

A group based at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota that conducts evidence reviews for vaccines.

American Medical Association (AMA)

A national organization representing physicians and medical students.

Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH

Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota.

Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD

Trustee of the American Medical Association.

Debra Houry, MD, MPH

Former CDC chief medical officer and deputy director for program and science who resigned under pressure in August.

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What they’re saying

“Our goal is to build on our efforts to restore peace of mind for clinicians and patients by ensuring that experts are continuously evaluating vaccine safety and effectiveness using transparent, evidence-based methods.”

— Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), University of Minnesota

“It is our duty as healthcare professionals to work across medicine, science, and public health to make sure the US has a transparent, evidence-based process by which vaccine recommendations are made.”

— Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD, Trustee, American Medical Association

“It's important that we follow a systematic review of evidence and that the American public can see it.”

— Debra Houry, MD, MPH, Former CDC chief medical officer and deputy director for program and science (Medscape Medical News)

What’s next

The VIP and AMA will meet with medical societies to determine which questions need to be answered for the winter 2026-27 respiratory vaccines. The initiative will have monthly scientific meetings with expert panels, conduct systematic reviews, and commit to data transparency.

The takeaway

This collaboration aims to restore public trust in the vaccine recommendation process by providing transparent, evidence-based reviews of vaccine safety and effectiveness, filling a gap left by the 'collapse' of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).