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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday abruptly dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the influential federal panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine recommendations for the U.S. public.
Kennedy announced the move in an op-ed published by The Wall Street Journal, claiming the panel had become a “rubber stamp” for any vaccine and calling for a “clean sweep” to rebuild public trust in immunization science.
“A clean sweep is needed to re-establish public confidence in vaccine science,” Kennedy wrote.
The action — described in formal termination emails sent by the CDC to committee members — stunned public health experts and ignited intense backlash from leading medical organizations, lawmakers, and even members of Kennedy’s own department.
Broad Medical Outcry
The American Medical Association (AMA) condemned the decision, calling it a blow to a process that has “saved countless lives.” The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) accused the administration of “silencing independent medical expertise” and fueling vaccine skepticism.
The Infectious Disease Society of America labeled the move “reckless, shortsighted, and severely harmful,” while the American College of Physicians said Kennedy had “circumvented the standard, transparent vaccine review processes.”
“Today’s announcement will seriously erode public confidence in our government’s ability to ensure the health of the American public,” said Dr. Jason Goldman, president of the American College of Physicians and a former ACIP liaison.
The American Public Health Association characterized the decision as a “coup” against public health norms.
Fallout in Washington
The firings come amid growing concerns over Kennedy’s leadership. Since becoming HHS Secretary, he has ordered changes to CDC vaccine guidance, halted research funding for emerging vaccines, and spread misinformation about measles immunizations.
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the top Republican on the Senate Health Committee and a physician, voiced concern over Kennedy’s decision.
“Now the fear is that the ACIP will be filled up with people who know nothing about vaccines except suspicion,” Cassidy wrote on X. “I’ve just spoken with Secretary Kennedy, and I’ll continue to talk with him to ensure this is not the case.”
Cassidy’s support was key to Kennedy’s Senate confirmation, which he secured after offering written assurances that he would “maintain” ACIP “without changes.”
Undermining Longstanding Process
The ACIP, composed of independent public health experts, is essential to developing U.S. vaccine schedules for both adults and children. Its recommendations directly influence insurance coverage, liability protections, and public health policy.
Traditionally, career CDC officials vet and recommend members, with the HHS Secretary signing off. But Kennedy argued that last-minute appointments by the Biden administration had blocked his ability to install new members — a claim he used to justify the mass removal.
“The prior administration made a concerted effort to lock in public health ideology,” Kennedy said, suggesting the panel had been insulated from needed reform.
It remains unclear who will replace the removed members, and HHS has not announced a transparent process for selecting new candidates.
The timing of the shakeup also raises concern. The panel was set to vote later this month on updates to COVID-19 and other immunization guidelines. Several recent recommendations on RSV and meningococcal vaccines from April’s meeting remain unsigned by Kennedy.
Context of Resignations and Overrides
Just last week, Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos, a leading ACIP member, resigned following Kennedy’s unilateral edits to CDC COVID-19 vaccine guidance, which bypassed the panel’s established workgroup.
Observers fear this pattern reflects a larger effort to sideline scientific consensus, consolidate authority, and elevate ideologically driven decisions over data-based public health standards.
“This is horrifying,” said a CDC official speaking anonymously. “This undermines the very foundation of public health decision-making.”
With a key ACIP meeting scheduled for June 25, many in the medical community are now watching closely to see how Kennedy proceeds — and whether Congress will intervene to restore trust in the vaccine approval process.
