RFK Jr. fires all 17 CDC vaccine advisory panel members in a dramatic move to eliminate what he calls “persistent conflicts of interest” that have turned the committee into “little more than a rubber stamp for any vaccine.”
Key Takeaways
- Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), citing conflicts of interest.
- Kennedy aims to restore public trust in vaccine science through a complete overhaul of the committee, which influences national vaccination policy.
- The committee will meet with entirely new members from June 25-27, breaking Kennedy’s earlier promise to Senator Bill Cassidy to leave the ACIP unchanged.
- Medical organizations including the American Medical Association have criticized the move as potentially undermining a process that “has saved countless lives.”
- The decision reflects the Trump administration’s commitment to addressing perceived corruption within health agencies.
Sweeping Reform of CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
In a bold assertion of his authority as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has terminated all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), established in 1964, has significant influence over which vaccines are recommended nationally and consequently covered by insurance. Kennedy’s termination notices were sent immediately after he published an opinion piece outlining his reasoning, signaling the administration’s decisive approach to reforming health agencies that many conservatives have long criticized.
“The committee has been plagued with persistent conflicts of interest and has become little more than a rubber stamp for any vaccine. It has never recommended against a vaccine–even those later withdrawn for safety reasons. It has failed to scrutinize vaccine products given to babies and pregnant women,” stated Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Rebuilding Public Trust in Vaccine Policy
Kennedy’s decision is part of a broader strategy to restore public confidence in American health institutions after years of declining trust. Many conservatives have questioned the CDC’s decision-making process during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding vaccine mandates and recommendations. The HHS Secretary has emphasized that this overhaul is essential to ensure that recommendations are based on unbiased science rather than pharmaceutical industry interests. The committee will reconvene with new members from June 25-27 at CDC headquarters, maintaining the structure but changing the personnel.
“A clean sweep is needed to re-establish public confidence in vaccine science. The public must know that unbiased science–evaluated through a transparent process and insulated from conflicts of interest–guides the recommendations of our health agencies,” emphasized Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Political Fallout and Expert Concerns
The decision has created some political tensions, particularly with Senator Bill Cassidy, who claims Kennedy had previously promised to maintain the ACIP without changes. Cassidy expressed concerns about potential replacements lacking vaccine expertise, stating, “Of course, now the fear is that the ACIP will be filled up with people who know nothing about vaccines except suspicion.” Medical organizations have also voiced opposition to the move, with the American Medical Association claiming “it upends a transparent process that has saved countless lives.” These criticisms highlight the polarized reaction to the administration’s health policy approach.
The formal termination notices sent to committee members were direct and immediate: “Per the June 9, 2025 directive from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this email serves as a formal notice of your immediate termination as a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).” This decisive action demonstrates the administration’s commitment to rapidly implementing changes within health agencies that have long been criticized by conservatives for bureaucratic entrenchment and resistance to reform. Kennedy’s approach signals that the Trump administration is serious about addressing perceived corruption within the health establishment.
A New Direction for National Vaccine Policy
While critics warn that removing experienced committee members could disrupt essential public health work, supporters see this as a necessary step to address legitimate concerns about conflicts of interest in vaccine approval processes. Kennedy has specifically criticized the committee for never recommending against any vaccine, even those later withdrawn for safety reasons. The upcoming committee meeting in late June will be closely watched as an indicator of how the administration plans to balance scientific expertise with its commitment to eliminating perceived conflicts of interest in public health policy.
“A clean sweep is necessary to reestablish public confidence in vaccine science, ACIP new members will prioritize public health and evidence-based medicine. The Committee will no longer function as a rubber stamp for industry profit-taking agendas,” declared Kennedy, Secretary of Health and Human Services.
The overhaul of the ACIP reflects President Trump’s broader commitment to draining the Washington swamp and addressing entrenched interests across government agencies. For conservative Americans who have long suspected that health recommendations were influenced by pharmaceutical company profits rather than public welfare, this move represents a welcome change in direction. The challenge now will be selecting replacement committee members who have both the necessary expertise and independence from industry influences to restore public trust in vaccine recommendations.
