RFK Jr Vaccine Panel: Conflict of Interest Leads to Withdrawal
Dr. Michael Ross, appointed by robert F. Kennedy Jr., has withdrawn from the CDC‘s vaccine advisory panel following a conflict of interest review. Concerns over financial holdings prompted the resignation from the ACIP, which Kennedy recently overhauled, sparking fresh scrutiny. The HHS is addressing disclosure issues, with questions over when the new appointees’ conflicts of interest will be published. this comes at a time when transparency is needed for the vaccine panel.News Directory 3 is tracking the implications of the fallout. What exactly are the details of the ethics review for the conflict of interest cases? Discover what’s next …
Vaccine Adviser Withdraws After Conflict of Interest Review
Updated June 25, 2025
Dr. Michael Ross resigned from the centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccine advisory panel following a conflict of interest review, according too a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spokesperson. The resignation comes after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. overhauled the advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP) in June, dismissing all 17 members, citing similar concerns.
Ross, involved with several private healthcare companies, was among eight individuals appointed by Kennedy. The HHS spokesperson acknowledged Ross’s withdrawal, stating, “Yesterday, Dr.Michael Ross decided to withdraw from serving on ACIP during the financial holdings review.” The department added, “The sacrifice to serve on ACIP varies from member to member, and we appreciate Dr. Ross’s willingness to go through this rigorous process.”
The spokesperson’s statement followed inquiries regarding conflict of interest disclosures for the new ACIP members. While a conflict of interest tracker was developed during the Trump administration, Kennedy’s appointees have yet to be added. The HHS did not immediately respond to questions about when the disclosures would be published.
According to the HHS,all new ACIP members underwent a “complete review” for conflicts of interest,consistent with federal regulations and departmental policies. They also received ethics training. However,during a recent committee meeting,some members,including committee chair Dr. Martin Kulldorff and Dr. Robert Malone, reportedly omitted disclosures related to vaccine litigation. Nurse Vicky Pebsworth disclosed healthcare stock ownership, but stated it fell below the reporting threshold.
The ethics review process was also addressed during a Senate hearing. Sen.Patty Murray, D-Wash., questioned Dr. Susan Monarez, the Trump administration’s nominee to head the CDC, about whether the new members had completed the necessary ethics reviews. Monarez responded,”If they have not gone through an ethics approval process,they shouldn’t be participating in the meetings.”
what’s next
The HHS is expected to address concerns regarding conflict of interest disclosures for remaining ACIP members and clarify the timeline for publishing the required information.