Empire State Review Contributor 
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the medical and public health communities, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed all 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The decision, announced on June 9, 2025, marks an unprecedented overhaul of a panel that has guided U.S. vaccine policy for over six decades.
Kennedy, a long-time vaccine skeptic and founder of the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense, justified the mass dismissal by alleging “persistent conflicts of interest” among committee members and accusing the panel of serving as a “rubber stamp” for vaccine approvals. He stated that the reconstitution of the committee was necessary to restore public trust in vaccine science.
The ACIP, established in 1964, plays a critical role in shaping national immunization recommendations, influencing vaccine schedules, and determining insurance coverage for vaccinations. Its guidance has been instrumental in controlling and eradicating vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States.
The abrupt dismissal has drawn sharp criticism from public health experts, former ACIP members, and medical organizations. In a commentary published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the ousted members warned that the overhaul could undermine vaccine access, reverse public health progress, and erode trust in health agencies.
Adding to the controversy, Kennedy appointed eight new members to the ACIP, several of whom have publicly expressed skepticism about vaccines. Notable appointees include Dr. Robert Malone, who has questioned the safety of mRNA vaccines, and Vicky Pebsworth, affiliated with the National Vaccine Information Center, an organization known for promoting vaccine misinformation. Critics argue that the new panel lacks the necessary expertise and objectivity to guide national vaccine policy effectively.
The reconstitution of the ACIP has also led to internal upheaval within the CDC. Dr. Fiona Havers, a senior CDC scientist specializing in respiratory virus surveillance, resigned in protest, citing concerns that scientific data would no longer be used objectively in policymaking. Her resignation follows that of Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos, another CDC vaccine expert, who stepped down over similar concerns.
Political leaders have weighed in on the matter, with Senator Bernie Sanders calling for a bipartisan investigation into the firings. The American Medical Association passed an emergency resolution condemning the dismissals, stating that the move undermines public trust in the nation’s health and vaccination policies.
The controversy comes amid a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, and declining vaccination rates. Public health experts warn that the ACIP’s destabilization could exacerbate these trends, leading to increased outbreaks and preventable deaths. They urge healthcare providers and the public to consult professional medical societies, such as the Infectious Disease Society of America and the American Academy of Pediatrics, for reliable vaccine guidance.
As the newly constituted ACIP prepares to convene, the nation watches closely, concerned about the future of vaccine policy and public health in the United States.
