RFK Jr. Removes Entire Independent Vaccine Advisory Panel

The dismissal of the committee, known as ACIP, marks a significant shift in how the federal government evaluates vaccine recommendations. Kennedy justified the decision in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, describing the move as a necessary "clean sweep" to remove political appointees from the previous administration and restore public confidence. This action follows his recent unilateral decision to end CDC vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women without consulting the panel.

Sen. Bernie Sanders slammed the purge, warning that it facilitates a "dangerous, unprecedented" assault on scientific integrity that risks preventable illness. While Sen. Bill Cassidy, who backed Kennedy’s confirmation, expressed apprehension that the panel might now be populated by individuals driven by suspicion rather than expertise, he noted he is continuing discussions with the secretary. Meanwhile, experts like Dr. Robert Steinbrook of Public Citizen argue that such politicization is far more likely to erode public trust in federal health institutions than to rebuild it.