Kennedy's Anti-Vax Crew Just Hijacked the CDC?!

Kennedy’s Vaccine Advisers Sow Doubts as Scientists Protest US Pivot on Shots

A seismic shift is underway in U.S. vaccine policy, sparking controversy and raising serious concerns among scientists and public health officials. A newly appointed advisory panel, handpicked by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is casting doubt on the safety and efficacy of established vaccines, while a major funding withdrawal threatens global immunization efforts.

The backdrop to this dramatic change was a protest outside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, where fired and retired scientists voiced their opposition to the new direction.

Inside, the revamped Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) held its inaugural meeting, signaling a departure from its 60-year history of championing vaccine advancement. The committee's initial actions included:

• Recommending a newly licensed shot for newborns to protect against a respiratory virus.
• Urging doctors to cease administering influenza vaccines containing thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative.

However, these decisions were overshadowed by Kennedy's announcement that the U.S. would withdraw its **$1.2 billion** commitment to global immunization efforts.

Critics argue that this decision will have devastating consequences, leading to preventable deaths among children in the world's poorest nations.

Global Impact in Jeopardy

The U.S. has historically contributed significantly to global immunization, providing **13%** of Gavi, an international vaccine alliance's, budget. President Biden had pledged an additional $1.2 billion over four years. Deblina Datta, a former CDC official, emphasized the gravity of the situation: “There will be deaths. I am not being hyperbolic. This is a big blow for children worldwide." Gavi estimates its programs have saved 18 million lives, mainly in the world’s poorest countries.

Undermining Public Confidence?

Vaccine advocates express deep worry over the committee's plans to review the childhood vaccine schedule, fearing it could erode long-standing consensus and public trust. At least three of the seven committee members have openly opposed current vaccine practices.

Martin Kulldorff, the new ACIP chair and a COVID-19 contrarian, stated, "Secretary Kennedy has given this committee a clear mandate to use evidence-based medicine when making vaccination recommendations, and that’s what we will do." He added that a new working group would investigate whether children are receiving too many vaccines and re-evaluate the recommendation for a birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine.

A Profession Divided

The shift in approach has sparked outrage within the medical community. Caroline Brown, a pediatrician, lamented the rise of "fearmongering and pseudoscience" and its impact on vaccination rates. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) declined to send official liaisons to the meeting and affirmed its commitment to publishing its own evidence-based vaccine recommendations.

Sean O’Leary, who chairs the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, criticized the "false narrative that the current vaccine policies are flawed," emphasizing that these policies "have saved millions of lives, trillions of dollars."

Skepticism Within the Ranks

A noticeable contrast existed between CDC scientists presenting data supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccines and the skepticism expressed by some ACIP members. Panelists Robert Malone and Retsef Levi, who have advocated for banning mRNA vaccine technology, frequently dismissed CDC analyses.

Key concerns raised by some panelists:

• Potential hidden harms from “hot lots” of vaccines
• Residual spike protein in the blood from mRNA shots
• Inadequate vaccine safety monitoring

Thimerosal Debate Rekindled

The committee also revisited the issue of thimerosal, despite scientific evidence debunking its link to autism. Lyn Redwood, a long-time anti-thimerosal activist, presented arguments nearly identical to those she made in 2001. Elias Kass, a naturopathic physician, criticized the "re-litigation of questions already answered," stating that it was an attempt to suggest something had been missed or hidden.

The decision to remove thimerosal from all flu vaccines could also have drawbacks, potentially increasing costs, as multi-dose vials containing thimerosal are significantly cheaper than single-dose syringes.

A Nation at a Crossroads

The changes within the ACIP and the broader shift in U.S. vaccine policy represent a critical juncture. The decisions made in the coming months will have far-reaching consequences for public health, both domestically and globally. Whether these changes will ultimately strengthen or undermine public confidence in vaccines remains to be seen. The scientific community and the public must remain vigilant and engaged in this vital conversation to ensure the best possible outcomes for all.

Source: https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2025/06/30/kennedys-vaccine-advisers-sow-doubts-scientists-protest-us-pivot-shots/