CDC Vaccine Panel Overhaul by RFK Jr. Ignites Immunization Policy Debate

In a bold shakeup of America’s vaccine policy framework, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, signaling a dramatic shift in how the nation approaches immunization recommendations.

At a glance:

• RFK Jr. removed all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

• He has already announced 8 new committee members committed to “evidence-based medicine”

• The committee influences which vaccines insurance companies cover and what doctors recommend

• All previous members were Biden administration appointees, with 13 appointed in 2024

• Health experts aligned with the establishment have expressed alarm, while supporters praise the move as necessary reform

Kennedy Cleans House at CDC

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has completely overhauled the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), dismissing all 17 current members in a sweeping move to reshape America’s approach to vaccine policy. The dramatic action follows President Trump’s promise to bring fresh perspectives to government health agencies that many Americans have grown increasingly distrustful of in recent years.

Kennedy wasted no time announcing eight new members for the influential committee that makes recommendations affecting which vaccines doctors prescribe and insurance companies cover. “All of these individuals are committed to evidence-based medicine, gold-standard science, and common sense,” Kennedy stated when introducing his selections for the committee.

BREAKING: RFK Jr. appoints Dr. Robert Malone to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) — days after firing the entire panel!

Dr. Malone is the inventor of mRNA vaccines and has become a hero to the medical freedom movement.

The future is bright.

pic.twitter.com/8GfaM4XUmf

— Lauren Lee (@sheislaurenlee) June 11, 2025

Restoring Trust in Vaccine Policy

The Biden administration had appointed all 17 previous committee members, with 13 of those appointments occurring just this year in 2024. Kennedy’s decision appears aimed at addressing what many conservatives view as entrenched biases within the committee, which has faced criticism for its handling of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and alleged conflicts of interest among its members.

Kennedy has previously questioned the committee’s track record, noting that ACIP had never recommended against a vaccine despite safety concerns raised by various medical professionals and researchers. The timing is particularly significant as the committee was scheduled to vote on recommendations for COVID, flu, and RSV vaccines at their upcoming meeting.

OUTSTANDING! Thank you @SecKennedy! https://t.co/dX8wcOzN4W pic.twitter.com/i0qMlOOsTO

— Mary Talley Bowden MD (@MdBreathe) June 9, 2025

Establishment Backlash vs. Reform Support

The American Medical Association and former CDC directors have predictably criticized Kennedy’s decision, claiming it undermines public health efforts and vaccine confidence. Their reaction highlights the deep divide between establishment health organizations and the reform-minded approach of the Trump administration, which has pledged to challenge conventional practices in federal health agencies.

Supporters of the decision point to growing public distrust in health institutions following controversial pandemic policies and the rush to approve COVID-19 vaccines with limited long-term safety data. The committee’s recommendations directly impact which vaccines insurance companies must cover without cost-sharing, making its composition a critical factor in America’s healthcare landscape.

A CDC official recently resigned following Kennedy’s announcement about changing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, further indicating the significant shift underway at federal health agencies.