In a move that’s ignited fierce national debate, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dramatically reshaped the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee—replacing seasoned medical experts with individuals known for their skepticism of vaccines.
The restructured panel has sparked concern across the medical establishment, with critics warning that the changes could compromise public health and scientific integrity.
The overhaul includes the removal of multiple long-standing members and the installation of several new figures who have publicly questioned vaccine efficacy and safety.
While Kennedy’s team maintains that the shake-up reflects a commitment to “diverse perspectives,” public health advocates argue it marks a dangerous blurring of science and ideology.
Even more alarming to many is the panel’s newly revised agenda, which omits any discussion of COVID-19 vaccines. Given the lasting global impact of the pandemic, health professionals are concerned that sidelining the issue could hinder vaccine accessibility and public trust just when immunity gaps and virus variants remain a threat.
Medical associations, including the American Medical Association and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, have issued formal statements urging a reversal of the changes. “Science must guide health policy—not politics or conspiracy,” one joint statement reads.
Kennedy, long known for his controversial stance on vaccines before taking office, has defended the appointments as a move toward “openness and balance.”
Critics say it sends a troubling message at a time when misinformation continues to erode public confidence in immunization programs.
The broader implications of this move remain unclear, but legal analysts predict possible court challenges or congressional inquiries, depending on the panel's future recommendations and actions.
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