Childhood Vaccine Evidence and Accountability Act of 2026

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the 'Childhood Vaccine Evidence and Accountability Act of 2026'. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds that vaccine recommendations have a profound impact on public health and individual rights, and that such recommendations must be based on transparent, rigorous, and conflict-free scientific review. Congress also finds that the current federal advisory process, while valuable, is susceptible to conflicts of interest and lacks sufficient independent oversight. SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL VACCINE EVIDENCE COMMISSION. There is established the National Vaccine Evidence Commission ('Commission') within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Commission shall consist of 15 members appointed by the Secretary of HHS, including at least three pediatricians, two immunologists, one biostatistician, one bioethicist, and three members of the public. No member may have received research funding, consulting fees, or other financial support from a vaccine manufacturer within the three years preceding appointment, and members shall comply with strict annual financial disclosure requirements. SEC. 4. DUTIES AND REVIEW PROCESS. The Commission shall review each recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) before it becomes effective. The review shall include systematic evidence reviews, an assessment of clinical and public health benefits, and an explicit evaluation of harms and uncertainties. The Commission shall hold at least two public hearings, provide a draft report, and accept public comments for no fewer than 60 days. A final recommendation shall require a two-thirds vote of the Commission. The Secretary of HHS may not implement an ACIP recommendation unless the Commission has approved it pursuant to this section. SEC. 5. TRANSPARENCY AND JUDICIAL REVIEW. All Commission meetings shall be open to the public under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, except where disclosure of trade secrets or patient privacy is at issue. All scientific data relied upon shall be made publicly available in a form that protects Personally Identifiable Information. Any person adversely affected by a final recommendation may seek judicial review in a United States district court under chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code. The court shall set aside an action found to be arbitrary and capricious, or not supported by substantial evidence, and may order the agency to redo the review process with due process. SEC. 6. OVERSIGHT AND ENFORCEMENT. The HHS Office of Inspector General shall audit the Commission annually and report its findings to Congress. The Attorney General may bring a civil action against any individual or entity that knowingly misrepresents a financial conflict of interest to the Commission, or that attempts to influence Commission members through bribery or other unlawful conduct, with penalties for each violation of up to $100,000. Additionally, the Commission shall be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act and open records requirements. SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION APPROPRIATIONS AND SUNSET. There is authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 annually, to be derived from the Prevention and Public Health Fund, for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. The Commission shall terminate on September 30, 2031, unless reauthorized by Congress. SEC. 8. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the remainder of the Act shall not be affected.