**RFK Jr. Dismisses Vaccine Committee, Citing Conflicts of Interest**

**In a controversial move, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), stating that ongoing conflicts of interest have damaged public trust in vaccine safety and efficacy. Critics argue the decision could hinder vaccination efforts amid rising health concerns.**

In an editorial published in the Wall Street Journal, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the removal of all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a group responsible for making official immunization recommendations. Kennedy, known for his skepticism regarding vaccines, claimed that conflicts of interest within the committee had compromised public confidence in vaccination programs.

He emphasized his intention to "ensure the American people receive the safest vaccines possible," a stance that has drawn backlash from many health professionals who critique his long-standing doubts about vaccine safety and effectiveness. During his Senate confirmation hearings, Kennedy assured attendees that he had no plans to strip the committee of its members.

On Monday, in a statement, Kennedy declared that he would be "retiring" all ACIP panelists, eight of whom were appointed during the closing days of President Biden's administration in January 2025. He justified his actions by stating that had he not acted, President Trump might have appointed a majority of the panel members until 2028.

Kennedy asserted that the committee had become "little more than a rubber stamp for any vaccine," pointing to what he believes are systemic conflicts of interests that undermine the integrity of vaccine recommendations. He lamented that both health authorities and pharmaceutical companies bear the blame for a "crisis of public trust," which some attempt to attribute solely to misinformation and distrust of science.

Furthermore, Kennedy cited historical examples from the 1990s and early 2000s to support his claims about ongoing ethical dilemmas. He alleged that several current ACIP members are funded by pharmaceutical companies that manufacture vaccines.

This unexpected move contradicts prior commitments made to Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican physician who claimed Kennedy assured him that ACIP would remain unchanged. In response to the dismissals, Cassidy expressed concerns on social media, highlighting fears that the new committee could be filled with individuals lacking adequate knowledge about vaccines.

ACIP members are expected to disclose any potential conflicts of interest publicly and recuse themselves from voting on matters where such conflicts arise. Kennedy wrote that the issue at hand is not merely about corruption among ACIP members but rather their entrenchment in an industry-aligned system that promotes a narrow pro-industry perspective regarding vaccinations.

Dr. Bruce Scott, president of the American Medical Association, criticized the mass dismissal, arguing it disrupts a transparent process dedicated to saving lives and could escalate the dangers posed by vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly amid a distressing measles outbreak and declining childhood vaccination rates.

As of now, Kennedy has not disclosed who would replace the sacked committee members. ACIP is scheduled to meet on June 25, during which it will vote on recommendations for vaccines related to Covid, flu, meningococcal disease, RSV, and other health issues. Both the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and ACIP chair Dr. Helen Keipp Talbot were contacted for comments but have not yet responded.