The votes in favor of Merck's shot are a sigh of relief after Kennedy gutted the panel and tapped replacements, some of whom are well-known vaccine critics.

It is unclear how Kennedy's new members, including Dr. Robert Malone, will affect the panel's vaccine recommendations.

Health experts have concerns about the new panel, which helps determine who gets vaccines in the US and when.

The votes in favor of Merck's shot are a sigh of relief after Kennedy gutted the panel and tapped replacements, some of whom are well-known vaccine critics.

Some public health experts contend the thimerosal discussion will unnecessarily raise doubt in vaccines.

Health experts were shocked to see that thimerosal, a preservative that has largely been phased out of U.S. vaccines, was on the ACIP agenda.

Panelists pulled back some endorsements for certain vaccines containing a preservative that critics have falsely linked to autism.

Merck's Enflonsia vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus won approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Decision to restrict thimerosal in immunizations could impact future vaccine availability on a global scale

Kennedy fired the existing panelists and hired eight new ones earlier this month.