The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has removed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) as part of an overhaul of the agency’s vaccine guidance process. The decision, announced on Monday, marks a dramatic shift in how the U.S. government approaches vaccine recommendations, with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vowing to restore public trust through greater transparency and a focus on unbiased science. The ACIP, which had been operating under the Biden administration since 2021, was responsible for advising on the use of vaccines for diseases like COVID-19, influenza, and other public health threats. Kennedy’s move comes amid widespread criticism of the CDC’s role during the pandemic, particularly its guidance on school reopenings and vaccine mandates, which many argue eroded public confidence in scientific institutions.
The HHS statement emphasized that the decision was not a rejection of science but a recommitment to transparency and reducing conflicts of interest. Kennedy, who was confirmed by the Senate in February after being nominated by former President Donald Trump, stated that the committee’s previous decisions were “insulated from conflicts of interest” and that the new members will focus on “public health and evidence-based medicine.” The removal of the ACIP members, who were all appointed under the Biden administration, is part of a broader effort to align the department with a Trump-era executive order that criticized how federal agencies had used scientific information “in a highly misleading manner.” This order, signed on May 23, 2024, called for a reexamination of how agencies like the CDC and NIH communicate health and scientific information to the public.
Public distrust in vaccine policies has been particularly pronounced during the pandemic, with debates over mandates in workplaces and schools leading to significant polarization. In some cases, government guidance, such as the CDC’s recommendations on school reopening, included edits from groups like the American Federation of Teachers, which was interpreted as advocating for reduced in-person learning. These policies were criticized for contributing to prolonged school closures, which had negative effects on education and public health. Kennedy’s statement highlighted the need to “earn back” public trust through “radical transparency and gold standard science,” a stark contrast to the previous administration’s approach. The next meeting of the ACIP is scheduled for June 25-27 in Atlanta, with new members still being evaluated for appointment.
The decision to remove all ACIP members has raised questions about the government’s approach to public health policy and the role of scientific advisory committees. Critics argue that the move disrupts the established process of vaccine recommendation and could lead to inconsistencies in guidance. Meanwhile, supporters of the change argue that the previous system was too influenced by political pressures and failed to maintain public trust. As the HHS moves forward with its restructured vaccine guidance process, the impact on public health policies and the broader scientific community remains to be seen.