U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed all 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), pledging to replace them with his own picks. This controversial move, criticized by major physicians and public health groups, is justified by Kennedy as a necessary step to re-establish public confidence in vaccine science and address alleged conflicts of interest among current members. Critics, however, view it as a politicization of a crucial scientific body, potentially undermining public trust and vaccine access.
RFK Jr. ousts CDC's entire vaccine advisory committee
COVID-19 vaccine policiesCOVID-19 vaccinesU.S. politicsSecond Donald Trump administrationVaccinationUnited StatesAmerican Medical AssociationAmerican Public Health AssociationCenters for Disease Control and PreventionResolve to Save LivesU.S. CDCU.S. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionBill CassidyBruce A. ScottGeorges BenjaminHelen Keipp TalbotJoe BidenNoel BrewerRobert F. Kennedy Jr.Tom FriedenHealthPublic healthImmunizations
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed all 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), pledging to replace them with his own picks. This controversial move, criticized by major physicians and public health groups, is justified by Kennedy as a necessary step to re-establish public confidence in vaccine science and address alleged conflicts of interest among current members. Critics, however, view it as a politicization of a crucial scientific body, potentially undermining public trust and vaccine access.
Trending- 1 Last summer: Noel Brewer joined the ACIP panel.
- 2 February (this year): The ACIP's first meeting was abruptly postponed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- 3 Monday (June 9, 2025): U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed all 17 members of the ACIP.
- 4 Monday evening (June 9, 2025): ACIP webpage featuring committee members was deleted.
- 5 In two weeks (from June 9, 2025): The newly appointed ACIP panel is expected to convene in Atlanta.
- 6 2028: Without the 'clean sweep,' the Trump administration would not have been able to appoint a majority of new ACIP members until this year.
- Widespread criticism from major physicians and public health groups.
- Concerns about the politicization of a scientific advisory body.
- Potential undermining of public trust in vaccine science and recommendations.
- Risk of reducing vaccine access for millions of people.
- Potential increase in vaccine-preventable diseases due to declining vaccination rates.
- Uncertainty regarding the future guidance and authority of ACIP.
- Provider organizations beginning to turn away from ACIP guidance.
- Deletion of the ACIP members' webpage.
What: U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine use. He announced plans to replace them with his own appointees. This action has drawn significant criticism from various medical and public health organizations.
When: Monday (June 9, 2025, based on article publication date). The new panel is expected to convene in two weeks. The committee's first meeting this year was previously delayed in February. The committee's webpage was deleted Monday evening.
Where: United States (specifically Atlanta, Georgia, where the new panel is expected to convene).
Why: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated his reasons were to 're-establish public confidence in vaccine science' and address 'conflicts of interest' among the current members. He also noted that this 'clean sweep' was necessary for the current Trump administration to appoint a majority of new members before 2028. Critics argue the move is politically motivated and undermines scientific integrity.
How: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., acting as U.S. Health Secretary, terminated the committee members' services via email. He also published an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal to explain his decision. The committee's official webpage was subsequently removed.