Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has removed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the panel responsible for providing vaccination recommendations in the U.S., amid a widespread measles outbreak.
Kennedy outlined his decision in a Wall Street Journal editorial, citing conflicts of interest within the committee. He emphasized the need to “ensure the American people receive the safest vaccines possible,” reflecting his skeptical stance on vaccines.
This decision comes as the country faces a serious measles outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,168 measles cases nationwide as of Friday, June 6, 2025. States with active outbreaks include Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas, where the largest outbreak has been recorded.
Eight of the ousted members were appointed in January 2025 during the last days of former President Biden’s tenure. Most were practicing physicians and experts from major university medical centers. Kennedy noted that without this move, the current administration could not appoint a majority of new members until 2028.
In the editorial, Kennedy contended that the committee was compromised by conflicts of interest, suggesting it served as a mere rubber stamp for vaccines. He claimed many members received substantial funding from pharmaceutical companies, which he believes has eroded public trust.
Although regulations require members to disclose conflicts of interest and abstain from decisions where conflicts exist, Kennedy argued that the issue is not corruption but rather an entrenched system favoring industry-aligned incentives.
The decision has been criticized by medical professionals and public health experts. Dr. Bruce Scott, former president of the American Medical Association, described the dismissal as disrupting a transparent process that has saved lives. He warned that with the ongoing outbreak and declining vaccination rates, this action could exacerbate the spread of preventable diseases.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician, expressed concern over the decision, noting that Kennedy had assured him during confirmation hearings that the committee would remain unchanged. Cassidy worried that the new committee might lack expertise in vaccines.
Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC director and current president of Resolve to Save Lives, called Kennedy’s actions dangerous and unprecedented, warning they could reduce vaccine access for millions. Frieden stated, “We’ll look back at this as a grave mistake.”
Concerns are heightened by the fact that childhood vaccination rates against measles have dropped in nearly 80 percent of over 2,000 U.S. counties following the COVID-19 pandemic. Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to severe complications.
In Texas, where the most significant outbreak has been recorded, health officials have reduced reporting frequency, indicating a potential slowdown. However, other states continue to see active cases.
Kennedy has appointed eight new members to the committee. The appointees include Dr. Robert W. Malone, a former mRNA vaccine researcher; Dr. Martin Kulldorff, a biostatistician; and Dr. Cody Meissner, a former ACIP member.
The new appointees reportedly include individuals critical of COVID-19 vaccine policies and professionals with experience on FDA/CDC advisory boards, meeting the minimum requirement of eight members as per the ACIP’s charter.
Kennedy insists that they are “credentialed scientists, not anti-vaxxers” and are expected to meet on June 25 to review vaccines, including flu shots and COVID-19 boosters.
Kennedy, who chaired the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense, has long questioned vaccine safety. During his confirmation hearing, he assured senators that he would not remove vaccines from the market, although his actions suggest significant changes to vaccine oversight.
The situation underscores the tension between Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism and public health officials’ focus on maintaining immunization programs amid the current outbreak.
