Kennedy Jr reshapes US vaccine panel with critics amid controversy

US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr has significantly restructured the nation's top vaccine advisory committee by replacing all 17 existing members with eight newly appointed individuals, several of whom are known critics of vaccines. This move marks a major shift in how vaccine policies are guided in the United States.

The dismissed group was part of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an independent body that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine usage. Kennedy’s action is seen as his most sweeping attempt yet to reform federal oversight of vaccines, medicine, and food.

Kennedy, who has a history of opposing vaccines, stated that the goal is to rebuild trust in vaccine science by selecting experts who prioritize evidence-based research. “We’re bringing in outstanding scientists — not anti-vaxxers — but people with solid credentials,” he said.

Among the eight new appointees, four have previous experience with the CDC or the Food and Drug Administration. However, others have publicly expressed skepticism toward modern vaccine technologies, particularly those developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. These new members will now serve on the ACIP, which makes recommendations on who should receive vaccines after they are approved by the FDA.

The committee is operating at the minimum size allowed by its founding guidelines, and the inclusion of outspoken vaccine critics has raised alarm within the scientific community. Critics argue the abrupt change could harm public confidence in health institutions.

Kennedy defended his decision by calling it a necessary "clean sweep" and accused the previous committee of being compromised by political and financial interests. He claimed that without this action, the current administration would not have had the opportunity to appoint a majority to the panel before 2028.

The newly appointed members include Robert Malone, Joseph Hibbeln, Martin Kulldorff, Retsef Levi, Cody Meissner, James Pagano, Vicky Pebsworth, and Michael Ross. Kennedy emphasized that all appointees are committed to high scientific standards and rational policy-making.

The move has been met with concern by former health officials. Jesse Goodman, a former chief scientist at the FDA, called the overhaul politically motivated and warned that it could erode public trust. Noel Brewer, one of the removed members, revealed that he and others were dismissed without explanation. He expressed uncertainty about the future role of ACIP and noted that some health providers have already begun distancing themselves from the panel.