Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday announced a “clean sweep” of the committee that advises on the childhood vaccination schedule.
All 17 sitting committee members have been removed, according to a statement from the HHS.
“Today we are prioritizing the restoration of public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda,” Kennedy said in a statement. “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 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is made up of outside scientists who discuss epidemiological studies, weigh the benefits and side effects reported in clinical trials, and make recommendations to the CDC on the routine vaccination schedules for children and adults. Meetings are open to the public.
The ACIP’s recommendations inform which shots are reimbursed by health plans.
The ACIP became a flashpoint for controversy during the COVID-19 pandemic, reenergizing concerns about payments that advisors receive from the drugmakers the panel oversees. HHS in March announced a new tool that allows users to search which advisors who reported potential conflicts of interest with the pharmaceutical industry.
Instead, the press release raises concerns about the entirety of the ACIP having been appointed by the Biden administration. Without the shakeup, the committee would not have been comprised of Trump appointees until 2028, according to HHS.
In this interview, Dr. Offit answered a question about childhood obesity saying they need more vaccines.
Public health leaders have completely lost the plot about why kids are getting sick – and are unfortunately highly conflicted with the pharma industry that profits from… https://t.co/2t7IvoAyKC
— Calley Means (@calleymeans) February 19, 2025
ACIP members are selected by the HHS secretary and can serve for up to four years, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
The next ACIP meeting is scheduled to occur from June 25 to June 27. It’s not clear whether the committee will discuss a recently-released Food and Drug Administration framework for COVID-19 booster shots requiring new clinical trials to support their use in people without comorbid conditions, putting them at risk of severe disease or death.
.@NYTimes, @WashingtonPost, @Politico got it wrong again. The COVID-19 vaccine schedule is very clear. The vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women. The vaccine is not recommended for healthy children. Any decision by a parent to vaccinate their child outside the CDC… pic.twitter.com/swWJGSF1IJ
— HHS.gov (@HHSGov) May 30, 2025
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Author: Emily Kopp
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