RFK Jr. reshapes CDC advisory committee amidst vaccine controversy
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed the entire membership of the CDC's vaccine advisory committee and appointed new members.
- The new ACIP meeting is expected to revisit vaccination schedules and discusses RSV vaccines among others.
- Experts express concern that changes to ACIP could undermine public trust and vaccination uptake.
In June 2025, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is convening for the first time after major changes initiated by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy removed the previous 17 members of the ACIP and appointed a new group of eight, drawing significant controversy due to many of these new members holding vaccine-skeptic views. The meeting is set to address maternal and pediatric respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines and other immunization schedules, including those for influenza, amidst concerns about public trust in the vaccine process and possible ramifications on vaccine accessibility and recommendations. This upheaval comes at a critical time, as reported pediatric flu deaths have soared, reaching a concerning statistic of 250 during the current flu season, the highest since 2004 during a non-pandemic year, highlighting the potential consequences of changing vaccination policies. Kennedy's approach to ACIP has sparked fears among health experts and advocates, as it deviates from decades of scientific consensus on vaccines, potentially leading to a decline in vaccination rates among children and resulting public health risks.