The vaccine advisory panel for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday voted in favor of delaying the administration of the vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox), commonly called the MMRV.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to vote on three questions during Thursday’s meeting. Five of the members were appointed to the committee just this week.

First, the panel was asked to consider whether the combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella should not be recommended for children younger than 4. The panel voted 8-3 to approve the change, with one member abstaining.

This vote would have meant that children who receive their vaccinations through the Vaccines For Children federal program will not be able to receive the MMRV shot until they're 4 years old. The committee voted, however, in a follow-up motion against aligning the VFC with the recommendation, changing nothing in terms of what the program covers for the time being.

Children can normally get the MMRV vaccine beginning at 12 months of age.

ACIP members Hilary Blackburn, Cody Meissner and Joseph........

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