Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appoints new CDC vaccine advisers, including vocal critics of COVID-19 policies, after removing the previous 17-member panel.
Panel Overhaul Shakes CDC Vaccine Advisory Body
In a dramatic policy shift, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has appointed eight new members to the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel just two days after dismissing the previous 17-member committee. The new appointments were announced Wednesday, ahead of a critical June 25 meeting.
Controversial Picks Spark National Attention
The newly named members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) include prominent critics of the U.S. government’s COVID-19 vaccine policies. Among them is Dr. Robert Malone, an mRNA technology pioneer who has since questioned the safety of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Another notable addition is Dr. Martin Kulldorff, co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, which opposed widespread lockdowns in favor of herd immunity strategies.
Reason Behind the Sudden Reshuffle
Kennedy defended his decision to overhaul the panel, citing “deep conflicts of interest” among former members. He pledged to rebuild ACIP with “highly credentialed” experts committed to transparency and safety. The new members, he said, will insist on definitive evidence of vaccine safety and efficacy before endorsing new immunization guidance.
Timing and Objectives of the New Panel
The announcement comes as ACIP prepares to review its guidance for COVID-19 and HPV vaccinations. Kennedy emphasized that the restructured panel will also reassess existing immunization schedules, signaling possible changes in long-standing CDC recommendations.
How This Could Impact Vaccine Policy
The new ACIP lineup suggests a pivot in the federal government’s vaccine strategy, particularly regarding mRNA vaccines. While the CDC recently narrowed its recommendations for COVID-19 shots, Kennedy faces mounting pressure from advocacy groups, such as Make America Healthy Again, to take a more hardline stance against the vaccines.
Broader Implications for U.S. Public Health
Kennedy’s move reflects a broader ideological shift in U.S. health leadership, where vaccine skepticism has gained more visibility. With figures like Malone and Kulldorff influencing national immunization policy, public trust and scientific consensus may face renewed challenges. The panel’s upcoming decisions could reshape vaccination practices across the country.
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