RFK Jr. Fires Entire CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee. Medical organizations and former panelists criticized the move as dangerous and politically motivated. RFK Jr. plans to replace them with his own appointees within two weeks.
RFK Jr. Vaccine Panel Shakeup Quick Looks
- RFK Jr. fires all 17 members of CDC’s vaccine advisory panel
- Panel, known as ACIP, was composed of Biden-era appointees
- RFK Jr. claims committee members had conflicts of interest
- Major health groups condemn the move as political and unsafe
- Panel decisions historically guided U.S. vaccination standards and insurance policies
- Kennedy already bypassed the committee for COVID-19 guidance changes
- Public health experts warn this weakens trust in vaccine recommendations
- CDC webpage listing ACIP members was deleted after firings
- Senate Republicans express concern, demand oversight on future appointees
- Committee set to reconvene in two weeks with new members
Deep Look: RFK Jr. Dismisses CDC Vaccine Panel, Sparks Outcry from Health Experts
In a stunning overhaul of federal health policy, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has removed every member of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the primary body responsible for vaccine policy in the United States. The dismissal of all 17 panel members has triggered a tidal wave of condemnation from the medical and public health communities.
Kennedy, once known as a leading anti-vaccine advocate, defended the sweeping action in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. He argued that removing the existing Biden-appointed members was essential to “re-establish public confidence in vaccine science.” Without the firings, Kennedy wrote, it would have taken until 2028 for the Trump administration to gain a majority on the panel.
The abrupt termination, confirmed by a mass email to former committee members late Monday afternoon, caught many by surprise. Dr. Noel Brewer, a University of North Carolina behavioral scientist and former panelist, expressed dismay: “I’d assumed I’d continue serving for my full term.” Brewer said ACIP had historically been the gold standard for advising doctors and insurers on vaccination protocols. “Up until today, ACIP recommendations were the gold standard,” he said.
Other experts say the decision severely jeopardizes the integrity of public health recommendations.
Medical Community Pushes Back
The firings have sparked fierce criticism across the scientific and public health sectors. Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC director and current president of Resolve to Save Lives, denounced Kennedy’s rationale as based on “false conflict-of-interest claims.” He called the firings “a dangerous and unprecedented action” that will make American families less safe.
“Make no mistake: Politicizing the ACIP as Secretary Kennedy is doing will undermine public trust under the guise of improving it,” Frieden warned.
Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, echoed those concerns, calling the mass removal “a coup.”
“This is not how democracies work,” Benjamin told The Associated Press. “It’s not good for the health of the nation.” He added that Kennedy had promised during confirmation hearings that he wouldn’t make such drastic changes—a promise now broken.
“We’re going to watch him like a hawk,” Benjamin added.
Dr. Bruce A. Scott, president of the American Medical Association, stated that ACIP’s recommendations have helped save countless lives. “Today’s action undermines that trust and upends a transparent process,” he said, warning of a rise in vaccine-preventable diseases due to declining public trust and rising misinformation.
Legal and Political Implications
The ACIP panel has long played a critical role in guiding immunization practices in the U.S., influencing what doctors recommend, what insurers cover, and how public health policy is shaped. Although the panel is not traditionally viewed through a partisan lens, its makeup under President Biden left Kennedy with no immediate influence over its decisions—something the new health secretary said could not stand.
Kennedy has also made changes without the panel’s consultation. Earlier this year, he revised CDC COVID-19 vaccination guidance, a break from precedent that alarmed many in the public health community.
Republican lawmakers are now divided. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a physician who had previously voiced concern about Kennedy’s nomination but ultimately supported it, said he was “very concerned” about the future of the ACIP.
“Of course, now the fear is that the ACIP will be filled up with people who know nothing about vaccines except suspicion,” Cassidy posted on social media. He said he had spoken directly with Kennedy to address the issue and plans continued oversight.
What Happens Next?
Kennedy has not released the names of new appointees but pledged the panel will reconvene in Atlanta within two weeks. Critics worry the replacements may lack the scientific expertise or credibility necessary to guide national vaccine policy.
Adding to the uncertainty, the CDC quietly removed the public webpage listing ACIP members shortly after the announcement—a move seen by some as an attempt to avoid transparency.
The ACIP’s sudden transformation comes amid already-declining vaccination rates across the country. Health experts warn that if the committee is repopulated with individuals who promote fringe theories or reject mainstream science, the damage to public health could be lasting.
For now, leading organizations are bracing for the next chapter under Kennedy’s leadership. Many say they will closely monitor new appointments and continue advocating for science-based policymaking.
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