U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s newly revamped vaccine advisory panel voted on Thursday for recommending use of Merck's RSV antibody drug for infants 8 months or younger whose mothers did not receive a preventive shot during pregnancy.

Ahead of the first meeting of newly appointed vaccine advisers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lawmakers are sharing fresh concerns about the panel’s membership and last-minute actions that could see Covid-19 and influenza vaccines thrown into question.

(Reuters) -A key panel of vaccine advisers named by U.S. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. earlier this week is now down to seven members from the earlier announced strength of eight after one of the members opted out ahead of the committee's first meeting, the New York Times reported on Tuesday.