RFK Jr’s vaccine committee shakeup: promises made, but 17 members still dismissed

US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on Monday, citing 7conflicts of interest8 and the need to 7restore public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda.8

The ACIP, a panel of pediatricians, epidemiologists, and immunologists, has guided federal vaccine recommendations for over 60 years. Kennedy criticized the committee for being 7plagued with conflicts of interest8 and accused some members of being 7last-minute appointees8 of the Biden administration.

"A clean sweep is necessary to reestablish public confidence in vaccine science," Kennedy said.

The shakeup has drawn sharp criticism from medical experts. Dr. Richard Besser, former acting CDC director, called the dismissal damaging to public health, while Dr. Bruce Scott, president of the American Medical Association, warned it upends a transparent process that has saved countless lives.

"I've never seen anything this damaging to public health happen in my lifetime," said one dismissed ACIP member.

Despite the mass dismissal, Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician, reported receiving assurances from Kennedy that the ACIP would be maintained without changes.

The controversy comes amid ongoing debates about vaccine safety and public trust, with organizations like the American Pharmacists Association continuing to endorse COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, emphasizing its safety and effectiveness.

"COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been proven safe and effective," the association stated.

Kennedy blamed health authorities and drug companies for a crisis of public trust, challenging narratives that attribute vaccine hesitancy to misinformation or anti-science attitudes.

This unprecedented dismissal raises questions about the future of vaccine policy and public confidence in immunization programs in the US.

US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, citing conflicts of interest and a need to restore public trust. Despite promises to maintain the committee, the shakeup has drawn criticism from medical experts and professional organizations.