Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos, who oversaw the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations for Covid-19 vaccines has resigned over mixed messaging from federal health officials about eligibility for the shots, according to media reports.
“My career in public health and vaccinology started with a deep-seated desire to help the most vulnerable members of our population, and that is not something I am able to continue doing in this role,” she wrote in her resignation letter cited by ABC News.
Panagiotakopoulos co-led a part of the CDC’s independent panel of vaccine advisers to review evidence for recommendations on Covid vaccines.
In mid-April, the advisers had discussed the possibility of narrowing the recommendations for who should receive an annual Covid vaccine — prioritizing those at higher risk such as adults over 65 or those with an underlying condition.
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Last week, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the removal of Covid vaccines from the immunization schedule for healthy children and healthy pregnant women.
Later on Friday, the CDC updated the immunization schedule allowing all children to be eligible to receive Covid vaccines, now under a shared clinical decision-making model, which means parents can choose to get their children vaccinated with the advice of a doctor.
The mixed messages prompted concern from some medical organizations.
“American families deserve better,” the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) said, in part, in a statement. “They deserve clear messages from all involved in their health, that are based on facts so they can continue to benefit from the success story of vaccines.”
Two sources cited by Reuters which first reported her resignation, said Panagiotakopoulos did not include a specific reason for her departure.
“Unfortunately for me, this is a personal decision,” Panagiotakopoulos wrote in an email to members of the working group.
An HHS spokesman cited by Reuters said Panagiotakopoulos’ departure was a personal decision and has no impact on the government’s commitment to public health.
The committee is scheduled to meet on June 25-27 and is expected to deliberate and vote on recommendations for use of Covid-19 vaccines, Reuters reported citing an unnamed source.
In its last ACIP meeting on April 15-16, Panagiotakopoulos presented data to the panel on Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine and potential options for the 2025-26 vaccination schedule. Those include maintaining the current broad policy or narrowing recommendations for certain populations.