RFK Jr. removes every member of CDC vaccine advisory committee

Washington — In a controversial move, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Monday that he is removing all 17 members of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). Kennedy, a known vaccine skeptic, stated that the committee had become a mere rubber stamp for any vaccine and that a complete overhaul was necessary to restore public confidence in vaccine science.

The ACIP is comprised of independent medical and public health experts who advise and vote on vaccine recommendations for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Their recommendations play a crucial role in shaping federal policies related to insurance coverage, liability protections, and immunization schedules for both adults and children.

Following Kennedy’s directive, members of the committee received emails notifying them of their immediate termination, sparking outrage among medical groups and health authorities. The American Public Health Association condemned the move as an undemocratic “coup,” while the Infectious Disease Society of America called it “reckless” and “harmful.”

The American College of Physicians accused Kennedy of bypassing transparent vaccine review processes and expressed concerns about the impact on public health. Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician and key figure in the Senate’s health committee, also voiced apprehension, fearing that the ACIP would be filled with individuals lacking expertise in vaccines.

Kennedy’s decision to remove all committee members comes amidst a broader push to reshape vaccine recommendations and guidelines. Last week, Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos resigned as a committee leader following orders from Kennedy to alter CDC guidance on COVID-19 vaccines. The controversial edits bypassed established advisory processes and raised further questions about the transparency of decision-making.

The upcoming ACIP meeting scheduled for June 25, where new recommendations for COVID-19 and other vaccines were to be discussed, now faces uncertainty in the absence of the ousted members. Kennedy’s actions have raised concerns about the future direction of vaccine policy and decision-making processes within the CDC.