A meeting of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine advisory committee, the first since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was inaugurated as Secretary of Health and Human Services, has been postponed, according to a senior official at HHS on Thursday.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was originally set to convene from February 26 to February 28. This independent group of experts meets three times a year to evaluate the benefits and risks of newly authorized or updated vaccines on behalf of the CDC.

In a statement via email, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon mentioned that the meeting was delayed to “allow for public commentary prior to the gathering.”

Nixon added that the ACIP workgroups had met as planned earlier this month and would present their findings at the new ACIP meeting. He did not provide information on whether a rescheduled date had been established for this event.

Concerns had been raised among public health professionals regarding the possibility of delays or cancellations linked to Kennedy’s previous criticisms toward both the advisory committee and vaccinations, especially those among children.

As of Thursday afternoon, the meeting agenda remained accessible on the agency’s website. Among the topics to be discussed were a presentation and decision on GSK’s meningococcal vaccine, a new chikungunya vaccine, and a recently approved nasal spray for flu prevention that can be used at home.

Earlier in the day, a GSK representative told NBC News they anticipated the meeting would proceed as scheduled, but they did not immediately comment on the postponement.

This story is still developing. Please check back for further updates.