HHS Secretary Kennedy Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises the CDC on vaccine recommendations. Kennedy announced the decision in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, citing concerns about conflicts of interest among committee members. The HHS secretary stated that many members were appointed during the previous administration, which would have prevented the current administration from appointing a majority until 2028.

The dismissal represents an unprecedented action, as ACIP members typically serve four-year terms and are not political appointees. Kennedy has authority to appoint and dismiss committee members as HHS Secretary. The committee was scheduled to meet June 25-27 to discuss vaccinations for several diseases including COVID-19, RSV, and influenza, with HHS indicating the meeting will proceed as planned despite needing to appoint new members within approximately two weeks.

Several medical organizations expressed concern about the decision. Representatives from the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Infectious Diseases Society of America issued statements defending ACIP's historical role in public health. These organizations emphasized the committee's long-standing contributions to vaccination policy and expressed concern about potential impacts on public trust in vaccines.

Senator Bill Cassidy, who had previously supported Kennedy's confirmation as HHS Secretary, noted that Kennedy had pledged to maintain ACIP without changes. Cassidy stated he had spoken with Kennedy following the announcement and would continue discussions to ensure appropriate expertise on the committee. Senator Susan Collins characterized the dismissal of all members as "excessive" and indicated the decision "raises serious questions."

One dismissed committee member, speaking anonymously, expressed shock at the decision and defended ACIP's conflict of interest policies. Some health experts have raised concerns about the timeline for appointing new members, suggesting proper vetting may be difficult within the short timeframe. The Vaccine Integrity Project, launched earlier this year due to concerns about vaccine safety messaging, is considering whether an independent body to evaluate vaccine safety might be necessary.