Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired all 17 CDC vaccine advisers and named eight new members, including anti-vaccine voices, sparking fears of a public health crisis. Is this overhaul a bold reform or a dangerous gamble?
Anti-Vaccine Voices Take the Helm
Kennedy’s new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) includes Robert Malone and Vicky Pebsworth, prominent critics of mRNA vaccines and vaccine mandates.
Malone, a key figure in the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, has claimed mRNA shots pose risks, while Pebsworth is tied to the National Vaccine Information Center, a vaccine exemption advocate.
These appointments, announced June 11, have alarmed experts like Dorit Reiss, who warns the panel may push “an anti-vaccine agenda.” The new group lacks the full expertise of its predecessors.
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June 25 Meeting Looms Large
The revamped ACIP is set to meet June 25 to vote on critical vaccine recommendations, including 2025–26 COVID-19 boosters and flu shots. With only eight members, the minimum for a quorum, and no published agenda, public health advocates fear rushed or skewed decisions.
“Appointing people this fast means they were not properly vetted,” says Reiss, noting the usual year-long process.
The panel’s influence over insurance coverage and vaccine schedules amplifies concerns about reduced access. Moderna and Pfizer stocks dipped slightly, reflecting market jitters.
Did you know?
The ACIP, established in 1964, helped eradicate smallpox in the U.S. by guiding vaccine policies, saving millions of lives over decades.
Medical Community Sounds the Alarm
The American Medical Association and Infectious Diseases Society of America slammed Kennedy’s move, calling it “reckless” and predicting a surge in vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.
The prior ACIP, with rigorous conflict-of-interest disclosures, was a global model, says Dr. Sean O’Leary.
Kennedy’s claim of pervasive conflicts lacks evidence, with only one prior member recusing herself due to trial ties. As vaccination rates decline, experts warn the new panel’s skepticism could deepen public distrust.
A Public Health Crossroads
Kennedy’s rapid purge and appointments, including critics like Martin Kulldorff of the Great Barrington Declaration, signal a seismic shift in U.S. vaccine policy. Senator Bill Cassidy, who secured Kennedy’s promise to preserve ACIP, now fears a panel of “vaccine skeptics.”
” With measles outbreaks rising and childhood vaccination rates dropping, the new ACIP’s decisions could reshape health outcomes. Will this panel safeguard Americans or fuel a preventable disease surge?
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