WASHINGTON (CP) – Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Monday the dismissal of all 17 members from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, claiming the influential vaccine panel has been compromised by conflicts of interest and pledging to select new experts to restore public confidence in USA immunization policy.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Monday he was removing the entire membership of the influential vaccine advisory panel that makes immunization recommendations for the United States, an unprecedented move by Kennedy and escalation of his overhaul of federal vaccination policy. The decision represents the most significant change to federal vaccine oversight in decades, affecting recommendations that guide doctors and pharmacists nationwide in determining which immunizations to offer patients.
In an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, Kennedy said he decided to retire the 17 independent vaccine experts from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices because the panel has been “plagued with persistent conflicts of interest” and has become a “rubber stamp” for vaccines. Doctors and pharmacists look to the committee’s recommendations to decide which shots to offer. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices provides critical guidance that becomes official public health policy when approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director, influencing vaccination schedules and insurance coverage requirements across the USA.
Kennedy’s action follows his broader efforts to reform federal health agencies under the trump administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in public health policy. The ouster of ACIP members marks the latest move by Kennedy that raised alarms among proponents of vaccines. He also forced out the Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine scientist, hired a vaccine skeptic to scrutinize CDC vaccine safety data and has offered mixed messages about measles vaccines amid one of the worst outbreaks in decades. The Health and Human Services Secretary has emphasized his commitment to evidence-based decision-making and removing institutional barriers that may compromise scientific integrity.
Congressional leaders have expressed varying reactions to Kennedy’s decision, with some supporting reform efforts while others claiming concerns about the process. Before casting a pivotal vote to confirm Kennedy, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) said he received a commitment to “maintain” the vaccine committee “without changes.” But Cassidy did not say that promise was broken, telling reporters Monday that Kennedy pledged to not change the process rather than the committee itself. Senator Cassidy indicated continued dialogue with Kennedy to ensure appropriate expertise on the reconstituted panel. “Of course, now the fear is that the ACIP will be filled up with people who know nothing about vaccines except suspicion. I’ve just spoken with Secretary Kennedy, and I’ll continue to talk with him to ensure this is not the case,” Cassidy wrote on X on Monday.
Kennedy’s supporters emphasize the importance of reforming federal health institutions to restore public trust in medical recommendations. Some of Kennedy’s longtime allies in anti-vaccine advocacy praised his move. Mary Holland, the chief executive of Children’s Health Defense, the group founded by Kennedy, said on X the purge “opens the doors for honest science.” The trump administration has consistently emphasized the need for transparent, accountable governance in federal agencies, with Kennedy’s actions reflecting broader efforts to ensure that public health recommendations serve American families’ best interests.
The reconstitution of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices represents an opportunity for fresh perspectives and renewed focus on scientific rigor in vaccine policy development. As health secretary, Kennedy has the authority over appointments to the advisory group. The committee is scheduled to meet June 25-27, providing an accelerated timeline for Kennedy to select new members who will bring diverse expertise and independence to federal vaccine recommendations. Kennedy’s commitment to reform reflects the trump administration’s broader agenda of institutional accountability and evidence-based policy-making that prioritizes American public health while addressing legitimate concerns about transparency and conflicts of interest in federal decision-making processes.