RFK Jr. Removes All CDC Vaccine Panel Experts
Bloomberg Podcasts: RFK Jr. Removes All Members of CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel
Kennedy Removes All C.D.C. Vaccine Panel Experts
On June 9, 2025, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a bold and controversial decision: he dismissed all 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory group, known as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) (Associated Press, 2025; Reuters, 2025).
Why Did He Do It?
Kennedy said he believes the panel had become too close to pharmaceutical companies. He argued that its advice lacked independence and was often seen as automatic approval of vaccines. According to Kennedy, the goal of the dismissal is to create a new panel that is free from industry influence and better able to earn the public’s trust (Reuters, 2025; Washington Post, 2025a).
Mixed Reactions Across America
Medical experts and public health officials expressed serious concerns about the removal. They warned that removing experienced experts may hurt public confidence in vaccines and delay important decisions that protect children and adults from diseases (Washington Post, 2025a).
The American Medical Association (AMA) said Kennedy’s decision could weaken public trust in science-based health policy. They emphasized that ACIP had long followed strict rules to avoid conflicts of interest (AMA, 2025).
On the other hand, some anti-vaccine activists and groups praised the decision. They believe it’s time for new voices and less influence from pharmaceutical companies in vaccine policy (New York Magazine, 2025).
What Does ACIP Do?
ACIP does not approve vaccines—that job belongs to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Instead, ACIP gives guidance about when and how vaccines should be given. This advice affects insurance coverage, school vaccine rules, and public health programs (Reuters, 2025).
ACIP was scheduled to meet again on June 25–27, 2025, but it is unclear if a new panel will be in place by then (Washington Post, 2025a).
What Are the Dangers?
Public health experts worry that getting rid of all the members at once could slow the process of evaluating new vaccines or adjusting existing schedules (Washington Post, 2025a). Some also worry about the precedent this sets: that future leaders might remove scientists for political reasons.
These fears come as diseases like measles and whooping cough have begun to rise again in some parts of the country. Experts say strong vaccine guidance is more important than ever (Washington Post, 2025b).
A Deeper Issue: Trust in Science
Kennedy has long been known for challenging vaccine policies. Earlier in 2025, he also removed the COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for healthy children and pregnant people, a move that many medical groups strongly opposed (Washington Post, 2025b).
Kennedy says he’s not anti-vaccine but wants to restore faith in a broken system. His critics say public health decisions should be based on data—not distrust (New York Magazine, 2025).
Summary Table
| Stakeholder | Viewpoint | Concern or Support |
|---|---|---|
| RFK Jr. | -Pro-removal | -Sees need for transparency and independence |
| Public health experts | -Anti-removal | -Concerned about vaccine safety and loss of trust |
| Medical associations | -Anti-removal | -Say move undermines science and public health |
| Anti-vaccine groups | -Pro-removal | -View this as a win against pharmaceutical influence |
Final Thoughts
The firing of the entire vaccine panel marks a turning point in American public health policy. Whether it leads to improved trust or deeper division will depend on who is chosen to replace the experts—and whether science or politics leads the way.
References
American Medical Association. (2025, June 9). AMA calls move 'undermining trust'. https://ama-assn.org
Associated Press. (2025, June 9). Health Secretary RFK Jr. removes CDC vaccine panel experts. https://apnews.com/article/f6b1d4aca75c52d7b3f7c4a9ac476018
New York Magazine. (2025, June 9). What’s going on with Trump and RFK Jr.’s new COVID-vaccine policies? https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/trump-kennedy-covid-vaccine.html
Reuters. (2025, June 9). Kennedy dismisses entire US CDC vaccine panel, replacing all 17 members. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/all-members-vaccine-advisory-panel-will-be-retired-us-health-secretary-kennedy-2025-06-09/
Washington Post. (2025a, June 9). RFK Jr. purges every vaccine adviser on CDC panel; will pick replacements. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/06/09/rfk-ousts-vaccine-advisory-committee-acip/
Washington Post. (2025b, May 27). RFK Jr. ends coronavirus shot recommendation for kids and pregnant women. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/05/27/rfk-covid-vaccine-policy-change/
Comments
Post a Comment