Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed all 17 group members and claimed “conflicts of interest”
The Secretary of United States dismissed the 17 members of the (acronym for advisory committee on immunization practices), which guides the (US disease control and prevention center) on vaccine recommendations.
The decision was announced on Monday (9.jun.2025) through one published in the newspaper . Kennedy justified the measure by stating that the group is “infested with conflicts of interest”.
The secretary of (acronym for Department of Health and Human Services) has the authority to appoint and dismiss members of ACIP, who usually meet 4 -year cycles. Complete removal of the panel is an unprecedented action in the history of the committee, according to a report by .
Kennedy argued in his article that several members of the Committee – usually formed by pediatricians, epidemiologists, immunologists, among other doctors – were appointed “last minute ” by the predecessor government of (Democratic Party).
“Without removing current members, the current government [do presidente Donald] Trump [Partido Republicano] would not have been able to name most new members by 2028 ”he wrote.
Kennedy’s measure was taken a few days after the secretary announced an update on the vaccination schedule without ACIP participation. The committee had considered restricting recommendations for covid-19 vaccines among children.
One of the newly endorsed members, who spoke to the CNN Internationalhe said he did not receive notice on dismissal until after the publication of the article. “I have never seen anything so harmful to public health to happen in my life”he declared. “I’m shocked. It is quite reckless. This will primarily destabilize vaccination in the US ”he said.
Acip members are not nominated politicians. However, the secretary – a known critic of the federal policy of vaccination and the security of immunization campaigns – stated that the current group is “full of conflicts of interest ”. ACIP the statements about possible conflicts of interest to each of its members from 2000 to 2024.
The committee has scheduled meetings from June 25 to 27 to discuss covid-19, VSR (Respiratory Virus), Influenza, HPV and meningococcal vaccines. HHS is approximately two weeks to name new members for the advisory panel.
Richard Besser, former interim director of the CDC and current president, highlighted CNN that the Committee guides US health agencies for over 60 years. He said he has always trusted ACIP recommendations during his 30 years of career as a pediatrician.
“This decision will make it much more difficult for pediatricians and other health professionals to take care of their patients. The idea that ACIP has failed to evaluate vaccines administered to pregnant women and babies is absurdly absurd.”said Besser.
“No one has done more than Secretary Kennedy to sow unfounded doubts about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, and his decision shows a complete lack of concern for the health and safety of all Americans“, These.
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