US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr has removed a 17-member panel at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that provides expertise on vaccines. Kennedy, a former anti-vaccine activist appointed by President Donald Trump, said he will replace the panel with his own picks.
“Today, we are prioritising the restoration of public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda,” Kennedy said. “The public must know that unbiased science – evaluated through a transparent process and insulated from conflicts of interest – guides the recommendations of our health agencies.”
The move has been met with criticism from former health officials. Jesse Goodman, a former chief scientist of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said, “That’s a tragedy… This is a highly professional group of scientists and physicians and others … It’s the kind of political meddling that will reduce confidence rather than increase confidence.”
The HHS said that all 17 members of the panel were selected during the administration of former President Joe Biden, and that keeping them on would have prevented Trump from choosing the majority of the panel’s members until 2028.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reviews data in public meetings before voting on whether to recommend a vaccine. The ACIP will convene its next meeting on June 25-27. The move is the latest in a series of actions by the Trump administration to shake up US health practices, sometimes by pushing ideas that depart strongly from the existing scientific consensus on issues such as vaccinations.
The decision to remove the 17-member panel has been met with criticism from scientists and former health officials, who argue that it will undermine public confidence in health agencies. Jesse Goodman, a former chief scientist of the FDA, called it a “tragedy” and expressed concerns about political meddling.
The move has raised concerns about the potential impact on public health policy, with many questioning whether the new panel will prioritize scientific evidence or political ideology. According to some experts, this shift could damage trust in the federal government as a reliable source on vaccinations.
Kennedy claims that the change will prioritize public trust over any specific vaccine agenda, emphasizing the need for transparency and unbiased science in health agencies. However, critics argue that reshuffling the vaccine panel is politically motivated and could erode the panel’s non-partisan expertise and objectivity.
The overhaul of the CDC vaccine panel has sparked concerns about the future of vaccine guidance in the US. Some experts worry that individuals and healthcare providers may seek vaccine guidance from other organizations, potentially leading to inconsistent and unreliable advice.
- The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reviews data in public meetings before voting on whether to recommend a vaccine.
- The ACIP will convene its next meeting on June 25-27.
- Kennedy’s decision means many members won’t complete their four-year terms, sparking concerns about the panel’s continuity and expertise.