US Health Secretary RFK Jr. Adds Seven Members to CDC Vaccine Panel

US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is in the process of appointing up to seven new members to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), following his dismissal of all 17 previous members in June over alleged conflicts of interest. The new appointees include Dr. Raymond Pollak, Dr. Joseph Fraiman, Dr. John Gaitanis, Professor Catherine Stein, pharmacist Hillary Blackburn, Dr. Kirk Milhoan, and Dr. Evelyn Griffin, with some already undergoing extensive vetting for conflicts of interest. Kennedy has defended his reshaping of the panel by emphasizing a commitment to evidence-based medicine and accusing the former members of bias toward pharmaceutical companies, though independent reviews found historic lows in conflicts of interest before his overhaul. Several of the previously appointed members have expressed controversial views on vaccines, including claims about Covid-19 vaccine harms. The ACIP’s recommendations strongly influence vaccine policy, insurance coverage, and administration, making these appointments highly significant for future vaccine guidelines and public health decisions. The Department of Health and Human Services has not yet officially announced the new appointments but confirmed ongoing processing and vetting.