U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent firing of all 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has sparked concerns among public health experts about potential damage to vaccine confidence and public health.
Kennedy, known for his skepticism about vaccines, announced in a Wall Street Journal commentary that he dismissed the independent advisory panel to “re-establish public confidence in vaccine science.” The ACIP is responsible for reviewing vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and advising the CDC on their use.
Dr. Sean O’Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Infectious Diseases, warned that this move could cost lives. “It is ironic that he claims to restore trust when he has been one of the foremost figures sowing vaccine distrust,” O’Leary said. He noted that pediatricians are already dealing with confusion among parents following recent changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women.
The Health and Human Services Department stated it remains committed to public health, evidence-based medicine, and restoring vaccine confidence.
The firings come just weeks before a planned ACIP meeting to discuss and vote on the 2025-26 COVID-19 booster vaccines. The agency confirmed the meeting will proceed June 25-27 but has not clarified who will fill the vacant advisory roles or how new members are vetted for conflicts of interest.
Noel Brewer, a public health professor and former ACIP member, highlighted the rigorous process and lengthy timeline required to join the committee.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the move, saying it “shatters trust” and signals that “ideology matters more than evidence, and politics more than public health.”
Former CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden criticized Kennedy’s justification, calling the claims of conflicts of interest on the panel “false” and warning that politicizing the ACIP will further erode public trust.
In response, the American Medical Association passed an emergency resolution calling for a Senate investigation and urged Kennedy to reverse the changes immediately.
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