CDC vaccine panel members ousted by RFK Jr. claim the committee's trustworthiness has been jeopardized
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a body responsible for providing guidance on vaccines in the United States, has found itself in the midst of controversy following the appointment of a new membership by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
In June 2025, Kennedy dismissed all 17 previous members and replaced them with individuals who are largely skeptical of established vaccines. This move has led to significant controversy and has severely impacted the committee’s credibility among former members and many public health experts.
Under Kennedy's leadership, the new ACIP has made changes to vaccine recommendations. For instance, they have advised against influenza vaccines containing thimerosal and have expressed doubts about the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns and the need and safety of COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women.
These recommendations, such as the removal of thimerosal-containing flu vaccines for certain populations, have been officially adopted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the absence of a CDC Director. The committee continues to hold meetings and publish official recommendations, with recent votes reflecting the new appointees’ views.
The dismissed former ACIP members, all 17 experts, have vocally criticized the new panel, claiming it has "lost credibility." Experts argue that the rigorous, evidence-based process that historically guided vaccine recommendations is being undermined and rapidly eroded.
Numerous health organizations and pediatric experts warn that the new appointees lack qualifications and have a history of vaccine skepticism, raising concerns about vaccine access and public health impacts. Specific challenges by the new committee include questioning well-established vaccines such as MMR, varicella, and HepB vaccines, and proposing studies they acknowledge might be unethical if they involve withholding vaccines from children.
Despite the controversy, the ACIP remains formally active and continues to issue vaccine guidance, now reflecting the perspective of appointees selected by Kennedy. However, the committee's credibility among the scientific and public health communities has been significantly damaged due to the dismissal of experienced members and the introduction of vaccine skeptics into advisory roles.
This situation has caused concern about the integrity of vaccine policy-making and the potential risks to public health, with many former members and experts publicly opposing the new direction. Kennedy has announced that the COVID-19 vaccine will no longer be recommended for healthy children and healthy pregnant women. A recommendation has been made for an external auditor of the new ACIP recommendations.
The American Academy of Pediatrics will publish its own immunization schedule for children, while the Infectious Diseases Society of America will set a schedule for people who are immunocompromised. The American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Physicians will publish recommendations for adults.
The HHS spokesperson states that by replacing vaccine groupthink with a diversity of perspectives, Secretary Kennedy is strengthening the integrity of the advisory process guiding immunization policy in the country. A parallel system following past ACIP practices, consisting of experts in immunology, virology, and vaccinology, has been suggested. This parallel system would meet once a quarter or every four months to review data and generate recommendations.
Dr. Noel Brewer, a former ACIP member, stated that vaccination has changed in the U.S. in a "fundamental" way and that the committee has "lost credibility." Brewer suggested that professional organizations should work together to harmonize vaccine recommendations. The HHS spokesperson denies that the new ACIP members can be claimed as anti-vaccine and claims that they are committed to evidence-based medicine, gold standard science, and common sense.
The committee has cast doubt on whether newborns need the hepatitis B vaccine and has recommended against flu vaccines containing thimerosal. The committee has also expressed skepticism around the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine.
In conclusion, while the ACIP still functions officially and its recommendations have formal authority, its credibility and acceptance in the broader scientific and medical communities are currently in question following the reconstitution and actions under Secretary Kennedy. The future of vaccine policy in the United States remains uncertain as the debate continues.
- The controversy surrounding the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has escalated, following the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary.
- Kennedy replaced all 17 previous ACIP members with individuals skeptical of established vaccines, causing significant controversy and credibility issues.
- Under Kennedy's leadership, the ACIP has revised vaccine recommendations, such as advising against thimerosal-containing flu vaccines and questioning the need and safety of COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women.
- The committee's new recommendations, like the removal of thimerosal-containing flu vaccines for certain populations, have been adopted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- The dismissed ACIP members, all experts, have spoken out against the new panel, claiming it has lost credibility.
- Numerous health organizations and pediatric experts argue that the new appointees lack qualifications and have a history of vaccine skepticism, creating concerns about vaccine access and public health impacts.
- The new ACIP has faced challenges, including questioning well-established vaccines like MMR, varicella, and HepB, and proposing potentially unethical studies involving withholding vaccines from children.
- Despite the controversy, the ACIP continues to issue vaccine guidance, but its credibility among the scientific and public health communities has been significantly damaged.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics will publish its own immunization schedule for children, while the Infectious Diseases Society of America will set a schedule for immunocompromised individuals.
- The American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Physicians will provide recommendations for adults.
- The HHS spokesperson claims that Kennedy's replacement of vaccine groupthink with diverse perspectives has strengthened the integrity of the advisory process in the country.
- A parallel system following past ACIP practices has been proposed, consisting of experts in immunology, virology, and vaccinology, to review data and generate recommendations every four months.
- Dr. Noel Brewer, a former ACIP member, stated that the U.S. vaccination system has undergone a "fundamental" change and that the committee has lost credibility.
- Brewer suggested that professional organizations should collaborate to harmonize vaccine recommendations to restore credibility.
- The HHS spokesperson maintains that the new ACIP members are committed to evidence-based medicine, gold standard science, and common sense.
- The ACIP has expressed doubt about the necessity of the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns and the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- The advisory committee's credibility and acceptance in the broader scientific and medical communities are being questioned following the reconstitution and actions under Kennedy.
- The future of vaccine policy in the United States remains uncertain as the debate continues.
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