Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has replaced all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), with eight new appointees just days after dismissing the entire previous group.
Kennedy stated that the new members are committed to evidence-based medicine and will demand definitive safety and efficacy data before endorsing any new vaccines, aiming to restore public trust in vaccination.
The newly appointed advisers include Dr. Joseph R. Hibbeln, Martin Kulldorff, Retsef Levi, Dr. Robert Malone, Dr. Cody Meissner, Dr. Michael A. Ross, Dr. James Pagano, and Vicky Pebsworth.
Several of these individuals gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic for their criticism of government policies such as lockdowns and mRNA vaccines.
For example, Dr. Malone, an early mRNA researcher, has been a vocal critic of COVID-19 vaccines and has promoted unproven claims about vaccine risks. Kulldorff co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration, which opposed lockdowns.
Some new members have academic credentials and prior experience on vaccine advisory panels, such as Dr. Meissner, who was previously on ACIP and the FDA vaccine advisory panel.
However, critics argue that the new slate lacks strong current vaccine expertise and may be inclined toward skepticism of vaccines, raising concerns about the future direction of vaccine policy.
Public health experts warn that this overhaul could undermine established vaccine recommendations that protect public health.
The ACIP panel plays a crucial role in shaping vaccine policy and immunization schedules that affect health providers and insurance coverage.
With only eight new members appointed, the committee currently lacks a quorum to vote on recommendations, which may delay its work until additional members or temporary voting authorities are appointed.
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