US Well being Secretary RFK Jr fires whole CDC vaccine advisory panel

US Well being Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. on Monday eliminated all 17 members of a key vaccine advisory panel on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), promising to switch them together with his personal appointees inside two weeks.

The transfer sparked criticism from main medical teams, who stated it undermines belief in vaccine science. Kennedy, beforehand identified for his anti-vaccine views, argued in a Wall Avenue Journal op-ed that the panel members had conflicts of curiosity and {that a} “clear sweep” was essential to rebuild public confidence.

The panel, generally known as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), was crammed through the Biden administration and is often thought-about nonpartisan. Critics say Kennedy broke guarantees to not intrude with the panel and fear his future picks gained’t be seen as neutral.

Dr. Georges Benjamin of the American Public Well being Affiliation known as the ouster “a coup” and stated the group would intently monitor Kennedy’s actions. Dr. Bruce Scott of the American Medical Affiliation warned the choice may result in decrease vaccination charges and extra illness outbreaks.

The committee had already confronted delays below Kennedy’s management, together with the sudden cancellation of a February assembly and modifications to COVID-19 steering with out consulting the panel. The CDC’s webpage itemizing the panel members was taken down Monday night after the announcement.