RFK Jr. Cleans House: Entire CDC Vaccine Panel Fired

What Happened

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has removed all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This expert panel advises the government on vaccine schedules and usage. The decision, announced on June 9^th, marks the first time in the committee’s 60-year history that it has been entirely replaced.

Kennedy cited conflicts of interest and a loss of public trust as reasons for the overhaul. Most of the outgoing members were appointed during the Biden administration, with many joining as recently as 2024. A new panel will be appointed in the coming weeks, in time for ACIP’s next scheduled meeting later this month.

This follows Kennedy’s earlier decision to revise CDC vaccine guidance without consulting ACIP. He specifically removed COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women. That move triggered confusion within the agency and led to at least one high-profile resignation.

Why It Matters

ACIP is a powerful government body that decides which vaccines are recommended for Americans, from newborns to seniors. Its guidance influences everything from school immunization requirements to insurance coverage. Wiping the slate clean sends a message that Kennedy doesn’t trust the current structure and wants total control over who’s making those calls.

This could translate to real changes in national vaccine policy. Kennedy has long questioned the current vaccine schedule and has promised more transparency and independence in the process. Replacing the panel allows him to install people who share that vision or at least aren’t tied to the pharmaceutical industry or past CDC leadership.

Kennedy’s purge breaks long-standing norms around scientific decision-making. It could set a new precedent for how much influence political appointees have in public health moving forward. 

How It Affects You

For parents, this could change which vaccines are recommended, or even required, for their children entering school. If the new panel backs off on certain vaccines or adjusts the timing, state and local health policies may follow. That means more choice for some families, but also potential confusion in the short term.

For healthcare providers, it throws uncertainty into routine vaccination schedules. Insurance companies often base their coverage on ACIP recommendations, so any shift in guidance could affect what’s covered, when, and for whom. Pediatricians and OB-GYNs may also face harder conversations with patients about which vaccines are still considered necessary.

This move could also redefine how much trust the public at large places in federal health guidance. Kennedy is hoping that sweeping changes will restore credibility. However, with the CDC still lacking a permanent director and internal divisions widening, the risk of mixed messages is real, and the stakes have never been higher.