WASHINGTON, D.C. — Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine policies, and announced plans to appoint new members aligned with his administration’s priorities.
The ACIP, responsible for recommending vaccine schedules and guidelines in the United States, had its first meeting of the year delayed amid ongoing scrutiny since Kennedy took office.
Kennedy, known for his critical stance on existing vaccine policies, has also altered COVID-19 vaccine guidelines without consulting the advisory committee, raising discussions on the potential effects of such unilateral changes on public health.
Kennedy’s new appointees are expected to reflect his focus on transparency and minimizing perceived conflicts of interest. The restructuring aligns with his broader agenda to reform vaccine advisory processes to match his health policy goals.
