Health
New Vaccine Advisers Appointed to CDC Panel Amid Controversy
Washington, D.C. — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced eight new members to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‘s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on June 11, just two days after he dismissed previous panel members.
The new advisers include Dr. Joseph R. Hibbeln, Martin Kulldorff, Retsef Levi, Dr. Robert Malone, Dr. Cody Meissner, Dr. Michael A. Ross, Dr. James Pagano, and Vicky Pebsworth. Kennedy emphasized their commitment to evidence-based practices, stating, “They have each committed to demanding definitive safety and efficacy data before making any new vaccine recommendations.”
David Mansdoerfer, a former deputy assistant secretary under the Trump administration, praised the new appointees, calling it a “huge win for the medical freedom movement.” However, public health advocates expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the selection process.
Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, president of the American Medical Association, voiced his worries, saying the association is “deeply concerned” that the new members were chosen without adequate vetting for necessary expertise. Dorit Reiss, a vaccine policy expert at UC Law, San Francisco, criticized the choices, suggesting they indicate a potential shift towards skepticism of vaccines.
The ACIP plays a crucial role in shaping immunization policy and determining which vaccines are covered by health insurance. Many of the newly appointed members gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, often opposing government health policies.
Dr. Martin Kulldorff previously co-authored a controversial open letter criticizing pandemic lockdown measures. Dr. Robert Malone, who contributed to early mRNA research, has gained notoriety for questioning COVID-19 vaccine safety.
Critics fear the new committee could undermine established vaccine policies. Kennedy replaced former ACIP Executive Secretary Melinda Wharton with Mina Zadeh, who has a long history in immunization and infectious disease research. An HHS spokesperson highlighted Zadeh’s qualifications and commitment to scientific excellence.
The next ACIP meeting is scheduled for June 25-27. With only eight members currently named, the committee lacks a quorum, which necessitates that additional HHS agency members be authorized to vote in order for the committee to conduct official business.
