Health organizations are vigorously condemning the HHS‘s recent decision to fire all members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).This move, led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is causing notable concern as it’s seen as a potential threat to evidence-based medicine and public trust in vaccines. the primary_keyword, ACIP firings, sparked immediate backlash from medical professionals and institutions, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, who are worried about the implications for the vaccine confidence. News Directory 3 is closely following how this decision will affect the ongoing measles outbreak and the declining child vaccination rates. The dismissed members,who are highly qualified,have been replaced. Will this affect public safety? Discover what’s next …
Health Officials Decry ACIP Firings amid vaccine Confidence Concerns
Updated June 11, 2025
The dismissal of all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on immunization Practices (ACIP) has triggered widespread condemnation from health organizations and professional societies.Robert F. Kennedy, jr., secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced the decision, citing conflicts of interest among the current members and a need to restore public trust in vaccine science.
Kennedy stated in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece that he was “totally reconstituting” the ACIP.He argued a “clean sweep” was necessary to address public concerns regarding vaccine integrity. The timing for naming new members remains unclear, though the panel is scheduled to convene June 25-27.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) expressed deep concern over the firings. AAP President Dr. Susan Kressly stated the institution is “deeply troubled and alarmed” by the firings,calling it an escalating effort to undermine independent medical expertise and erode trust in vaccines. Kressly also criticized Kennedy’s recent recommendations against COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women and shared decision-making for healthy children, saying it creates confusion around proven vaccines.
Georges C. Benjamin, MD, executive director of the American Public Health Association (APHA), described Kennedy’s action as a “coup.” He emphasized the qualifications of current ACIP members, stating they were thoroughly vetted for conflicts of interest prior to their appointments.Benjamin predicted that a new panel selected by Kennedy would be met with suspicion.
Jason M. Goldman, MD, president of the American College of Physicians (ACP), echoed these concerns. He stated the firings, combined with recent HHS actions on COVID-19 vaccines, interfere with evidence-based medicine and destabilize a trusted source. Goldman, also the ACP liaison to ACIP, believes Kennedy’s actions will erode public confidence in the government’s ability to ensure public health and promote vaccine confidence.
The American Medical Association (AMA) also weighed in, with President Bruce A. Scott, MD, stating that ACIP has long been a trusted source of science-based guidance on vaccines. He warned that the firings undermine that trust and could exacerbate the spread of vaccine-preventable illnesses, especially amid a measles outbreak and declining routine child vaccination rates. The importance of maintaining public trust in vaccines is paramount, Scott said.
Sen.Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) expressed concern that the ACIP might be filled with individuals lacking expertise and harboring suspicion toward vaccines. Rep. Kim schrier (D-Washington), a pediatrician, suggested the firings could pave the way for biased recommendations.Schrier noted she introduced a bill to ensure ACIP membership is limited to those with relevant scientific expertise.
Conflicts Alleged Without Evidence
Kennedy has repeatedly asserted that the ACIP is plagued by conflicts of interest, justifying the dismissals. He claimed that moast members receive substantial funding from pharmaceutical companies, but provided no evidence to support this claim. ACIP members’ disclosures show no direct industry funding, which is prohibited for panelists.
Tina Tan, MD, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, called the allegations “completely unfounded.” She affirmed that ACIP operates with openness and a commitment to protecting public health.
ACIP’s policies require members to file financial disclosures upon appointment and annually. HHS officials vet these disclosures, and members must disclose potential conflicts at each meeting. Panelists with relevant conflicts, such as involvement in vaccine trials, must recuse themselves. However, direct employment by industry, stock ownership, or royalties are prohibited.
Jennifer Nuzzo,DrPh,professor of epidemiology and director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University School of Public Health,suggested Kennedy’s actions could erode Americans’ access to vaccines.
What’s next
The immediate future hinges on the swift appointment of qualified, unbiased experts to the ACIP. The upcoming June meeting will be a critical test of the HHS’s commitment to transparency and evidence-based decision-making in vaccine policy. The ongoing debate underscores the need to address public concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy while safeguarding the integrity of the immunization process.