Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as US Health Secretary, has controversially replaced the entire Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (Acip) with a new seven-member panel, several of whom are known vaccine critics. The newly formed committee, chaired by Dr. Martin Kulldorff—who stated he was fired from Harvard for vaccine refusal—met for the first time to announce a review of long-approved child vaccination schedules and vaccines licensed over seven years ago, including hepatitis B for newborns and measles vaccines. These decisions have sparked widespread concern among public health experts, who question the panel's qualifications, expertise, and motives, particularly regarding the re-examination of well-established vaccine safety and the inclusion of figures with anti-vaccine affiliations. The panel's initial vote on RSV vaccine recommendations was postponed amidst the controversy, highlighting a significant shift in the approach to US vaccine policy.
Key Developments Regarding RFK Jr.'s New Vaccine Advisory Panel
Formation of New Panel: US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced all 17 predecessors of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (Acip) on June 9, hand-picking a new seven-member panel (one member withdrew just before the first meeting). This action has drawn significant criticism.
Acip's Role: The Acip is responsible for recommending vaccination schedules to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Concerns Over Qualifications: Public health experts and politicians have expressed strong concerns about the qualifications of the new members, noting that several are known vaccine critics or skeptics.
New Chair's Stance: The new chair, Dr. Martin Kulldorff, began the first meeting by stating he was fired from Harvard University for refusing a Covid-19 vaccine.
Planned Vaccine Reviews: Dr. Kulldorff announced the panel would establish new working groups to:
Examine child vaccination schedules.
Review vaccines approved seven or more years ago, including the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns (proven safe and effective) and measles vaccine schedules.
Expert Criticism of Reviews: Professor Bill Hanage of Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health criticized the plan to re-examine old vaccines, stating it "suggests their approval process was flawed" and that he "cannot think of any rational reason" for it.
Thimerosal Discussion: The panel is scheduled to hear a presentation on thimerosal (a mercury-based preservative largely absent from most vaccines for decades) from Lyn Redwood, a former leader of the anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense, which Kennedy used to run. Professor Hanage found this discussion "perplexing."
Bias Allegations: Dr. Paul Offit, a former Acip member, accused Kennedy of choosing panelists who "have shown an anti-vaccine bias."
Member Withdrawal: One appointed member, Dr. Michael Ross, withdrew shortly before the first meeting, ahead of a review of members' financial holdings.
Political Criticism: Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician, criticized the panel's small size, lack of a CDC director, and new members' insufficient experience in microbiology, epidemiology, or immunology, particularly their potential "preconceived bias against" new technologies like mRNA vaccines.
Postponed Recommendations: A planned vote on recommendations for RSV vaccines, which are crucial for infants, was postponed by the new panel.