Ousted ACIP Members Criticize RFK Jr.’s ‘Destabilizing’ Changes to U.S. Vaccine Policy

On June 9, 2025, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all 17 members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which guides U.S. vaccine policy345.

The dismissed members published an essay in the Journal of the American Medical Association criticizing Kennedy's 'destabilizing decisions,' warning these actions could reverse progress in immunization, reduce access to vaccines, and increase the risk of preventable disease outbreaks5.

Kennedy has said he is 'restoring public trust' by replacing the full ACIP panel, but the new appointees include vaccine skeptics and individuals with limited publication history in vaccinology, leading to widespread concern in the medical community125.

Veteran CDC official Dr. Melinda Wharton, who coordinated ACIP meetings, was also quietly removed5.

The new ACIP panel is scheduled to meet soon to vote on key immunization recommendations for flu, Covid-19, HPV, RSV, and meningococcal vaccines, though the meeting agenda has not yet been released5.

Sources:

1. https://www.cpr.org/2025/06/18/new-colorado-law-vaccine-recommendations-rfk-jr-cdc/

2. https://www.science.org/content/article/members-rfk-jr-s-new-vaccine-committee-have-published-little-vaccines

3. https://www.cmadocs.org/newsroom/news/view/ArticleId/50907/Medical-community-responds-to-RFK-Jr-dismissal-of-all-17-ACIP-members

4. https://www.statnews.com/2025/06/09/rfk-jr-fires-every-member-of-cdc-vaccine-expert-panel-acip/

5. https://www.statnews.com/2025/06/16/dismissed-members-acip-criticize-rfk-jr-cdc-vaccines/