RFK Jr. removes entire CDC vaccine advisory committee
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed the entire Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), comprising 17 members. This expert panel advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on immunization matters. The ACIP, which convenes three times annually, plays a critical role in evaluating vaccine data and formulating usage recommendations.
The committee consists of 15 voting members - physicians, epidemiologists, and public health experts representing a wide range of disciplines including clinical practice, vaccine research, behavioral science, community health, and geriatric medicine - as well as ex-officio federal liaisons and non-voting representatives from various agencies and stakeholder organizations.
Its members are esteemed professionals with substantial expertise and a deep understanding of immunization science and policy-making processes. The committee’s recommendations serve as a global benchmark for vaccination guidelines.
While it is true that other qualified individuals could serve on the committee, appointing an entirely new membership results in a body lacking institutional knowledge and procedural experience. The decision to disband the existing committee poses a significant risk to public health.
