The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is set to host a pivotal meeting this week, where vaccine advisers will vote on a proposal to eliminate recommendations for the combined measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine for children under four. This decision comes amid heightened scrutiny from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long questioned vaccine safety despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary. Kennedy has promoted the unfounded claim that the MMRV vaccine is linked to autism, a theory repeatedly debunked by rigorous scientific studies. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will convene on September 18-19 to deliberate on the proposal, as outlined in a draft agenda on the CDC’s website. The meeting follows Kennedy’s controversial decision in June to dismiss all 17 ACIP members and appoint eight new advisers, some of whom have previously opposed vaccines. Since assuming his role under the Trump administration, Kennedy has initiated a review of vaccine policies, including the measles shot, which remains the most effective method to prevent the highly contagious and potentially deadly virus. Currently, the CDC recommends that children under four receive separate doses of the MMR and varicella vaccines, with the MMRV vaccine preferred for older children. This year, the U.S. has reported 1,454 measles cases, the highest in over three decades, underscoring the urgency of the debate. The MMRV vaccine is marketed in the U.S. by pharmaceutical giants Merck and GSK, with Merck also offering the ProQuad shot, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella.