CDC Committee Overhaul Sparks Concerns Ahead of Vaccine Policy Meeting

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to convene on September 18–19, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. This meeting marks the first since the committee's complete reconstitution under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a move that has ignited debate within the public health community.

The upcoming ACIP meeting is poised to address vaccine recommendations for hepatitis B, measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). However, the recent overhaul of the committee's membership and the dismissal of CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez have raised concerns about the potential politicization of vaccine policy and its implications for public health.

In June 2025, Secretary Kennedy dismissed all 17 members of the ACIP, replacing them with individuals aligned with his views on vaccines. Kennedy justified this action by alleging that the previous committee was plagued with conflicts of interest. The new appointees include individuals with prior experience on CDC and FDA advisory bodies, as well as vocal critics of vaccines and mRNA technology, such as Robert Malone.

In August 2025, Dr. Susan Monarez was dismissed by Secretary Kennedy after less than a month in her role. Monarez alleged that Kennedy pressured her to preapprove recommendations from a newly appointed vaccine advisory panel, which included members with known anti-vaccine views. Following Monarez's dismissal, four senior CDC officials resigned, citing concerns over the politicization of vaccine policy and the undermining of scientific integrity within the agency.

The reconstituted ACIP is expected to discuss and potentially vote on vaccine recommendations for hepatitis B, MMRV, and RSV during the upcoming meeting. The meeting will be open to the public via live webcast, with opportunities for public comment.

Critics argue that the dismissal of experienced public health officials and the appointment of individuals with anti-vaccine views could undermine the credibility of vaccine recommendations, potentially leading to decreased vaccination rates and increased vulnerability to preventable diseases. Dr. Bruce Scott, president of the American Medical Association, stated, "Today's action to remove the 17 sitting members of ACIP undermines that trust and upends a transparent process that has saved countless lives."

The restructuring of the ACIP and the dismissal of senior CDC officials may influence vaccine recommendations and public health outcomes, potentially affecting vaccination rates and the incidence of preventable diseases. The recent changes raise questions about the implications of political interventions in public health agencies and the potential consequences for scientific integrity and public trust.

The upcoming ACIP meeting represents a critical juncture for U.S. vaccine policy amidst significant organizational changes and public debate. The outcomes of this meeting, along with the forthcoming congressional testimony from former CDC officials, will likely have far-reaching implications for public health and policy in the United States.