Today's News: RFK Jr. Dismisses Entire CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, argued that the panel was rife with conflicts of interest and functioned as a “rubber stamp” for pharmaceutical interests.
Photo: Annabelle Gordon/For The Washington Post
Overview
Date: June 9, 2025
Topic: RFK Jr. Dismisses Entire CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Summary: U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an unprecedented action framed as a move to restore public trust in vaccine policy. Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, argued that the panel was rife with conflicts of interest and functioned as a “rubber stamp” for pharmaceutical interests. The decision has been widely condemned by public health experts, lawmakers, and professional associations, who warn it will undermine confidence in vaccines and disrupt federal immunization guidance. The committee is scheduled to reconvene June 25–27 with new, as-yet-unannounced members.
Sources
The New York Times – Kennedy Removes All C.D.C. Vaccine Panel Experts
CNN – RFK Jr. removes all current members of CDC vaccine advisory committee
NBC News – 'Manufactured chaos': Kennedy guts CDC's vaccine panel of independent experts
The Washington Post – RFK Jr. purges every vaccine adviser on CDC panel; will pick replacements
The Wall Street Journal – RFK Jr. Removes All Members of CDC Vaccine Panel
Fox News – RFK Jr scraps vaccine committee members in effort to restore 'public trust'
Key Points
RFK Jr. removed all 17 members of the CDC’s ACIP, citing alleged conflicts of interest and a lack of transparency.
Critics argue the action will destabilize vaccine policy and reduce access, especially as the country faces outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Public health leaders, pediatric organizations, and medical societies condemned the move as dangerous, anti-scientific, and ideologically driven.
The ACIP was scheduled to meet June 25–27; HHS says the meeting will proceed with new members to be appointed on an expedited basis.
Senators Bill Cassidy and Susan Collins expressed concern, with Cassidy referencing a previous assurance from Kennedy not to alter the ACIP structure.
Unique Highlights
The New York Times emphasized Kennedy's prior promise not to alter ACIP, contradicted by this move, and detailed the impact on insurance and Medicaid coverage for vaccines.
CNN noted that ACIP members were notified of their dismissal only after Kennedy’s op-ed was published and cited reactions from a recently resigned CDC adviser.
NBC News reported internal CDC employee responses calling the move “gaslighting,” and highlighted concerns that vaccine guidance may shift to private medical associations.
The Washington Post reported that some members received “immediate termination” notices after Kennedy’s announcement and included broader context on Kennedy’s dismantling of vaccine programs.
The Wall Street Journal confirmed Kennedy had begun compiling new member lists in advance and quoted Dr. Kathy Edwards defending the scientific rigor of the current panel.
Fox News framed the move as consistent with a Trump executive order and emphasized Kennedy’s message about rebuilding trust through “radical transparency.”
Contrasting Details
Framing of Kennedy’s Intentions:
Fox News portrayed Kennedy’s action as a legitimate reform aimed at restoring public trust.
The New York Times, CNN, NBC News, and The Washington Post described the move as ideologically driven and deeply harmful to public health infrastructure.
Characterization of the Panel:
Fox News and Kennedy’s own statements implied the panel was compromised and biased toward industry interests.
Other sources, including NBC News and CNN, emphasized the extensive vetting and transparency of ACIP’s processes, calling Kennedy’s claims misleading or false.
Political Reaction:
Fox News did not emphasize bipartisan concern.
The New York Times, CNN, and The Washington Post included criticism from both Republican (Cassidy, Collins) and Democratic (Schumer) lawmakers.
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