Lawmakers raise concerns over new CDC vaccine advisers as key immunization panel meets amid accusations of bias and conflicts of interest.
Controversy Erupts Before Key Vaccine Advisory Meeting
As the CDC’s reconstituted vaccine advisory panel prepares for its first meeting this Wednesday, pressure is mounting on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over sudden changes to the group’s membership. The removal of all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the hasty appointment of eight new advisers have triggered bipartisan concern in Congress, with lawmakers warning the move could undermine vaccine confidence nationwide.
Lawmakers Challenge Committee Overhaul and Motives
The turmoil began with a letter from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), sent Tuesday,in which she accused Kennedy of hand-picking advisers to serve an “anti-vaccine agenda.” Hours earlier, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), ranking member of the Senate Health Committee, urged a postponement of the ACIP meeting over concerns about transparency and scientific credibility. Both senators cited Kennedy’s actions as a breach of his previous commitments to protect vaccine access and uphold scientific standards.
First Public Scrutiny Comes During Budget Testimony
Kennedy defended his decision before the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on Tuesday, where lawmakers from both parties questioned the sudden ACIP reshuffle during a hearing on the administration’s 2026 budget. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) criticized the dismissals as part of “unprecedented and troubling chaos” and called for Kennedy to testify again in a dedicated oversight hearing. Kennedy claimed the previous members had pharmaceutical industry ties, calling the old panel “a template for medical malpractice.”
Concerns Over New Appointees and Transparency Gaps
Warren’s letter raised alarms about the backgrounds of Kennedy’s eight new appointees, some of whom have publicly opposed mRNA vaccine technology and mainstream public health policies. Among them are Dr. Robert Malone, known for spreading vaccine misinformation, and Dr. Martin Kulldorff, co-author of the controversial Great Barrington Declaration. Others, like Dr. Vicky Pebsworth and Dr. James Pagano, were flagged for affiliations with anti-vaccine organizations or lack of relevant expertise. Conflict of interest disclosures for the new members have not been published, in contrast with CDC norms.
Upcoming Agenda Raises the Stakes
The upcoming two-day ACIP meeting is expected to include discussions on Covid-19 immunizations and the debated preservative thimerosal, used in some flu vaccines. Thimerosal was mostly phased out decades ago but remains a flashpoint in vaccine safety debates. Lawmakers fear that revisiting long-settled science with a reshaped panel could reignite vaccine skepticism at a volatile time for public health.
Questions Over Promises and Process
Sen. Cassidy and other critics argue Kennedy has violated assurances made during his Senate confirmation. Cassidy previously stated Kennedy pledged not to alter the ACIP’s structure or recommendations. On Tuesday, Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) directly asked Kennedy whether he had misled lawmakers about his intentions. Kennedy denied violating any agreements, asserting that his changes comply with prior commitments. Still, critics maintain that the removal and replacement of advisers undermines the credibility of the advisory process.
The CDC panel’s meeting begins Wednesday, under intense political and public scrutiny, with vaccine policy—and public trust—hanging in the balance.
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