US Health Secretary RFK Jr. Fires 17 Vaccine Advisers, Replaces With Controversial Members

In a controversial move, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a federal vaccine advisory panel with over 60 years of history guiding vaccine policies. Kennedy justified the unprecedented action by alleging conflicts of interest and a loss of public trust among the previous members, although the panel had operated under strict conflict of interest policies. He rapidly appointed eight new members, several of whom are known vaccine skeptics or have questionable conflicts of interest, raising concerns among public health experts about the panel's future direction. The ousted experts warned that this destabilization could undermine vaccine policy achievements, reduce access to lifesaving vaccines, and threaten public health. Critics, including former ACIP members and vaccine specialists, argue that Kennedy’s changes jeopardize the integrity and continuity of U.S. immunization programs, which have historically enjoyed broad public trust and high vaccination rates. The shakeup also raises questions about vaccine coverage and insurance decisions that depend on ACIP recommendations moving forward.