US Health Policy Shake-Up: Kennedy Dismisses Vaccine Advisory Committee

In June 2025, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. initiated significant changes to national vaccine policies, marking a departure from established public health practices. These actions have sparked widespread concern among public health experts and organizations.

On June 9, 2025, Secretary Kennedy dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), citing conflicts of interest. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Kennedy stated, "A clean sweep is needed to re-establish public confidence in vaccine science." He appointed new members, including individuals with known vaccine-skeptic views:

• Martin Kulldorff: A biostatistician who has advocated for herd immunity strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Robert W. Malone: A physician and researcher who claims to have invented mRNA vaccine technology and has expressed skepticism about vaccine safety.
• Retsef Levi: A professor of operations management at MIT with no prior experience in immunology or vaccines.

The first meeting of the reconstituted ACIP raised concerns about its scientific rigor and approach, reflecting a stark departure from traditional evidence-based decision-making.

The restructured ACIP recommended that flu vaccines be free from thimerosal, a preservative previously deemed safe. Additionally, the committee advised against COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children and pregnant women, contradicting prior CDC guidelines.

Secretary Kennedy announced the cessation of U.S. support for the global vaccine alliance Gavi, accusing it of ignoring vaccine safety and suppressing dissent during the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision could lead to over a million preventable child deaths worldwide.

Public health experts and organizations have expressed strong concerns that these policy shifts could undermine public trust in vaccines and have adverse effects on both national and global health outcomes. Critics argue that the new ACIP appointments and policy changes reflect a move away from evidence-based practices, potentially leading to decreased vaccination rates and increased incidence of preventable diseases.

Kennedy's actions represent a significant shift in U.S. vaccine policy, with potential long-term effects on public health both domestically and globally. The ongoing debate underscores the importance of maintaining evidence-based public health practices to ensure the safety and well-being of the population.