U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Overhauls CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel

In a sweeping and unprecedented decision, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has removed all 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), citing concerns over conflicts of interest and a need to restore public trust in vaccine policy.

Kennedy Jr. announced the decision on June 9, stating that the move was necessary to ensure that vaccine recommendations are based on unbiased science and transparent evaluation rather than industry influence. The ACIP, which plays a critical role in advising the CDC on vaccine safety, efficacy, and clinical necessity, has historically shaped national immunization guidelines.

Today we are prioritizing the restoration of public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda,” Kennedy Jr. said in a statement. “The public must know that unbiased science—evaluated through a transparent process and insulated from conflicts of interest—guides the recommendations of our health agencies.”

The Biden administration had appointed all 17 sitting ACIP members, with 13 of them taking their seats in 2024. According to Kennedy Jr., these appointments would have prevented the current administration from selecting a majority of the committee until 2028.

Kennedy Jr. emphasized that the new ACIP members will be selected based on their commitment to public health and evidence-based medicine, ensuring that the committee no longer functions as a rubber stamp for industry profit-taking agendas.

The decision has sparked strong reactions from public health experts and lawmakers. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), who had previously expressed concerns about Kennedy Jr.’s nomination, stated that he had been assured the ACIP would remain unchanged.

Meanwhile, Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases, criticized the move, calling it “extremely dangerous” and arguing that ACIP’s recommendations have historically saved lives.

Despite the controversy, Kennedy Jr. remains firm in his stance, asserting that the overhaul is necessary to rebuild public confidence in vaccine science and policy.

The newly appointed ACIP members are expected to convene for their first meeting in two weeks at CDC headquarters in Atlanta.