RFK Jr. Overhauls CDC Panel, Alters Flu Vaccine Policy

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired all 17 previous members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and replaced them with individuals who share his critical stance on vaccines, particularly regarding thimerosal. In their first session, the reconstituted ACIP voted to stop recommending flu vaccines containing thimerosal for children and pregnant women, despite extensive scientific evidence and CDC findings that the preservative is safe and not linked to autism. Since 2001, thimerosal has already been removed from nearly all vaccines and remains only in a small portion of flu shots, making the decision largely symbolic. Public health experts warn that this move could undermine public trust in vaccines and increase hesitancy. The committee's actions mark a major departure from established, evidence-based vaccine policy and have raised concerns among scientists and officials about the integrity of future recommendations. Critics say prioritizing unsubstantiated theories threatens longstanding public health protections.