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Today, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a significant reorganization of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the federal panel that provides evidence-based vaccine recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Under the leadership of HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, all 17 sitting members of ACIP have been “retired” and will be replaced with new appointees currently under consideration.1
“Today, we are prioritizing the restoration of public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda,” said Secretary Kennedy. “The public must be confident that unbiased science—evaluated through a transparent process and insulated from conflicts of interest—guides the recommendations of our health agencies.”1
The ACIP is a longstanding committee composed of independent experts in immunization and public health who review vaccine safety, efficacy, and clinical need. Their recommendations inform CDC policies and are subject to approval by the CDC Director before becoming official.1
What You Need To Know
HHS removed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
New ACIP members will be appointed before the next meeting scheduled for June 25–27, 2025.
The reconstitution aims to restore public trust and address concerns about conflicts of interest.
The current committee members were all appointed during the Biden administration, with 13 appointed as recently as 2024. Kennedy noted that this makeup would have prevented the administration from appointing a majority of new members until 2028, effectively locking in prior policy and limiting the agency’s ability to respond to evolving public concerns.
Kennedy asserted in a recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece that a “clean sweep” was necessary to reestablish confidence in vaccine science, citing concerns about conflicts of interest despite existing strict disclosure and review policies in place for committee members.2
This reorganization has prompted responses from prominent health organizations. The American Medical Association (AMA) emphasized the importance of continuity and transparency in the vaccine advisory process. AMA President Bruce A Scott, MD, stated, “ACIP has served as a trusted source of evidence-based guidance on immunization. Disrupting its structure risks undermining public confidence at a time when vaccination rates are critical to public health.”3
Similarly, Georges Benjamin, MD, executive director of the American Public Health Association, expressed concern about the potential politicization of vaccine recommendations and pledged close monitoring of the committee’s new composition.3
ACIP has historically refined vaccine recommendations beyond FDA approvals to prioritize public health benefits. For example, although the FDA has approved the HPV vaccine for use up to age 45, ACIP recommends routine vaccination primarily for individuals aged 9 to 26 due to greater population health impact.1
Since assuming leadership, Secretary Kennedy’s HHS has already implemented notable changes in vaccine policy, including revising COVID-19 vaccine guidelines and suspending certain programs aimed at developing vaccines for future pandemics.1
The CDC webpage listing current ACIP members was removed shortly after the announcement. HHS has assured the public that the committee will continue its scheduled meeting June 25–27 at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, now under new membership.1
