Q&A with ousted CDC vaccine adviser Helen Chu

Helen Chu’s journey to secure a seat on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) was a long and arduous one. As a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Washington, she underwent a rigorous application process, extensive conflict-of-interest vetting, and thorough training on the committee’s operations. After finally being appointed to a four-year term on the committee last year, Chu participated in one meeting as a voting member before being abruptly terminated along with her colleagues by health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy, a known vaccine skeptic and ACIP critic, justified the mass firing as a necessary step to restore public confidence in vaccines. He plans to appoint new members to the committee, but details about the selection process and vetting procedures remain undisclosed. Unlike Chu’s meticulous assessment, it is unclear how the new members will be chosen. The reconstituted ACIP is set to convene for its first meeting on June 25-27.

The sudden dismissal of the ACIP members has left them in shock and uncertainty, with many staying silent due to concerns of backlash from the Trump administration. However, Chu bravely spoke out about her apprehensions regarding the future of vaccine policy, the potential for a disjointed approach to vaccination across the nation, and the tarnished reputation of a committee once regarded as the global benchmark for vaccine research and recommendations.

As the ousted members grapple with the aftermath of their removal, the looming question remains about the impact of this shakeup on public health and vaccine decision-making. The abrupt changes have raised concerns about the integrity and credibility of the ACIP, leaving many to wonder about the implications for vaccine policy in the United States.