RFK Jr. Shakes Up Vaccine Advisory Board Critics In, Experts Out?

RFK Jr. Reshapes CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee with Controversial Appointments

In a move that has sent ripples through the public health community, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has appointed eight new members to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This announcement comes just days after Kennedy's decision to remove all 17 previous members of the ACIP, a panel responsible for providing crucial recommendations on vaccine safety, efficacy, and clinical need. Kennedy cited concerns over conflicts of interest and what he described as the committee's tendency to act as a "rubber stamp" for vaccine approvals as the reason for the sweeping change.

The ACIP's recommendations heavily influence the CDC's decisions regarding vaccine schedules and public health policies, making its composition a matter of significant public interest.

Kennedy defended his choices in a post on X, stating that the new appointees include:

• "Highly credentialed scientists"
• "Leading public-health experts"
• "Some of America's most accomplished physicians"

He further emphasized their commitment to "evidence-based medicine, gold-standard science, and common sense."

The new ACIP members are slated to participate in an upcoming meeting scheduled between June 25th and 27th, where discussions will focus on recommendations for several vaccines, including the HPV and COVID-19 vaccines. The committee is also expected to review safety and efficacy data for the existing vaccine schedule.

However, the selection of these new members has sparked considerable debate, particularly due to the inclusion of individuals who have previously voiced skepticism and criticism regarding vaccines, especially concerning COVID-19 vaccines and mRNA technology.

Here's a closer look at some of the appointees and the controversies surrounding them:

• Dr. Robert Malone: A contributor to early mRNA vaccine technology, Malone has been criticized for spreading misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, including claims that people were "hypnotized" into believing mainstream narratives about the virus and vaccination.
• Retsef Levi: Levi co-authored non-peer-reviewed research with Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, suggesting a link between COVID-19 vaccines and deaths in healthy individuals.
• Dr. Martin Kulldorff: Kulldorff was a co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, which advocated against COVID-19 lockdowns and proposed a strategy of achieving herd immunity through natural infection, a plan widely criticized by public health experts as unethical.

Notably, at least four of the new members – Malone, Kulldorff, Vicky Pebsworth, and Dr. Cody Meissner – are acknowledged in Kennedy’s book, “The Real Anthony Fauci,” which critiques the former health official's work and questions his motives during the pandemic era, as reported by Stat News.

Critics argue that these appointments signal a concerning shift towards a more anti-vaccine stance within a crucial public health advisory body. While Kennedy has assured that the replacements are not "anti-vaxxers," the inclusion of individuals with a history of vaccine skepticism raises questions about the future direction of vaccine policy recommendations. The selection process has also been questioned, with some observers noting a reduced emphasis on expertise in immunology, virology, and vaccinology compared to previous committees.

The implications of these changes remain to be seen. The ACIP's upcoming meeting will be closely watched as the new members begin their work, and their recommendations will undoubtedly shape the future of vaccine policy in the United States.

The situation underscores the importance of informed public discourse and evidence-based decision-making in matters of public health. As the debate unfolds, it is crucial to prioritize scientific rigor, transparency, and the well-being of the population.

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/rfk-jr-appoints-8-new-members-cdcs-vaccine/story?id=122750907