The new members of U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine advisory panel are set to review established immunization schedules for children and teenagers. This Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) convened for their first meeting on Wednesday, following a controversial move by Kennedy to replace all 17 previous members just weeks earlier.
The ACIP plays a critical role in recommending vaccinations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ahead of the meeting, various public health professionals and politicians expressed their unease regarding the qualifications of the newly appointed members, many of whom have been openly skeptical about vaccines.
Kennedy's actions have stirred backlash since he dismissed the previous panel on June 9 and appointed eight new members, including one who exited hours before their first gathering. During the meeting, the chair, Dr. Martin Kulldorff, shared that his vaccine refusal had cost him his position at Harvard. He announced that the panel would create working groups aimed at reviewing child vaccination schedules, including scrutinizing long-standing vaccines like hepatitis B, proven to be effective at preventing liver cancer.
Concerns are mounting about the rationale behind examining vaccines approved seven years ago or more as it suggests a potential flaw in the approval process, according to Bill Hanage, an epidemiology professor at Harvard. Originally, the panel was expected to vote on recommendations for RSV vaccinations, but that vote has since been postponed.
On Thursday, the committee plans to discuss the controversial mercury-based preservative thimerosal with Lyn Redwood, a former anti-vaccine group leader who now works with the CDC. Hanage decried the inclusion of thimerosal in discussions, highlighting that previous ACIP members possessed extensive vaccine expertise that facilitated careful evaluation, a practice he feels is being compromised.
Kennedy's selection of panel members has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who questioned their qualifications and the legitimacy of proceeding without a full CDC leadership in place. Cassidy noted that while appointees may hold scientific credentials, many lack specialized experience in key areas like microbiology and immunology, and may approach new technologies like mRNA vaccines with inherent bias.
