RFK Jr. Fires Entire Vaccine Panel, Citing Big Pharma Conflicts [WATCH]

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Monday the dismissal of all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), saying the action was necessary to rebuild public confidence in federal vaccine policy.

🚨 BREAKING: RFK Jr. removes all 17 members of a CDC panel of vaccine advisors.

“A clean sweep is needed to re-establish public confidence in vaccine science,” RFK Jr. said

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— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 9, 2025

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Kennedy, who was confirmed as HHS Secretary earlier this year under President Donald Trump, stated the decision was part of a broader effort to “restore public trust” in medical institutions, following what he described as years of growing skepticism about vaccine safety and transparency.

“Under my direction, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is putting the restoration of public trust above any pro- or antivaccine agenda,” Kennedy wrote in an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal.

“The public must know that unbiased science guides the recommendations from our health agencies.”

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The department’s official press release confirmed that 13 of the 17 ACIP members were appointed by Joe Biden, most during the final months of his administration.

Without a full dismissal, Kennedy noted in his op-ed, the Trump administration would not have had the opportunity to appoint a new majority to the panel until 2028.

Kennedy added that the existing committee had “never recommended against a vaccine—even those later withdrawn for safety reasons,” and said it had been compromised by financial ties to pharmaceutical companies.

He emphasized that the incoming members “won’t directly work for the vaccine industry” and would be independent voices who “refuse to serve as a rubber stamp” and are “unafraid to ask hard questions.”

The ACIP advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the immunization schedule and vaccine safety guidelines for both children and adults.

Its recommendations have long influenced state-level vaccination mandates and public health funding decisions.

Kennedy’s move has drawn sharp criticism from some medical and political figures.

Dr. Bruce Scott, president of the American Medical Association, said in a statement that the dismissal “upends a transparent process that has saved countless lives.”

“With an ongoing measles outbreak and routine child vaccination rates declining, this move will further fuel the spread of vaccine-preventable illness,” Scott said.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, was also drawn into the spotlight.

Cassidy, who voted in favor of Kennedy’s confirmation, had previously secured a commitment from Kennedy not to make significant changes to vaccine policy without first consulting the Senate.

Cassidy acknowledged the ACIP shakeup in a statement on X.

“Of course, now the fear is that the ACIP will be filled up with people who know nothing about vaccines except suspicion,” Cassidy posted.

“I’ve just spoken with Secretary Kennedy, and I’ll continue to talk with him to ensure this is not the case.”

Cassidy’s office declined to provide further details when asked by the Washington Examiner about the nature of the conversation.

The restructuring of ACIP follows President Trump’s recent executive order directing all federal agencies to follow “gold standard science,” a framework aimed at increasing the integrity of government-sponsored research and ensuring that regulatory decisions are based on “the most credible, reliable, and impartial scientific evidence available.”

The HHS press release cited this executive order as part of the rationale behind the change, stating that new ACIP members will be expected to follow this standard.

New appointments to the panel have not yet been announced.

The transition comes amid a broader push from the Trump administration to reevaluate federal health guidance and ensure greater transparency in the agencies that shape public health policy.

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