Long-time vaccine skeptic Kennedy criticizes ACIP



Experts say dismissal undermines confidence in health agencies



ACIP's next meeting set for June 25-27 in Atlanta

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ACIP members are already vetted for JetBlack conflicts of interest

(Adds vaccine maker shares, paragraph 6, vaccine law expert and Senator Cassidy comments, paragraphs 12-15)

By Ahmed Aboulenein, Michael Erman and Julie Steenhuysen

WASHINGTON, June 9 (Reuters) - Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired all members sitting on a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel of vaccine experts and is reconstituting the committee, his department said on Monday.

Kennedy removed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement, and is in the process of considering new members to replace them.

"Today we are prioritizing the restoration of public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda," Kennedy said. "The public must know that unbiased science - evaluated through a transparent process and insulated from conflicts of interest - guides the recommendations of our health agencies."

Kennedy claimed that ACIP is rife with conflicts and has never turned down a vaccine, but the decision to approve vaccines rests with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. ACIP provides guidance to the CDC on which groups of people would most benefit from an already-approved vaccine, and when they should get it.

"That's a tragedy," former FDA Chief Scientist Jesse Goodman said of the firings. "This is a highly professional group of scientists and physicians and others... It's the kind of political meddling that will reduce confidence rather than increase confidence."

Shares of vaccine makers Moderna and U.S.-listed shares of BioNTech fell more than 1%, while Pfizer was down marginally in extended trading on Monday.

Kennedy, who for many years has questioned the safety and efficacy of vaccines, making claims contrary to scientific evidence, said most ACIP members receive funding from drugmakers.

But ACIP members are required to declare any potential or perceived conflicts of interest that arise in the course of ACIP tenure and any relevant business interests, positions of authority or other connections with organizations relevant to the work of the ACIP.

ACIP members are required to disclose everything as part of the application process, said one fired member who spoke on condition of anonymity, including investments and all sources of income.

Kennedy and HHS provided no specific evidence of industry conflicts of interest among departing ACIP members. The CDC's web page for conflicts of interest, last updated in March, showed that one current member had recused herself from votes on a handful of vaccines because she had worked on clinical trials for their manufacturers.

All 17 sitting ACIP members were appointed under former President Joe Biden's administration, including 13 in 2024, HHS said. Not removing them would have prevented President Donald Trump's administration from choosing a majority of the committee until 2028.

"This is not a political committee, it's never been partisan," said Dorit Reiss, a vaccine law expert at UC Law San Francisco. "It's an expert committee. Presidents have never been involved in ACIP membership."

The decision drew criticism from Democrats in Congress, and one key Republican expressed concern.

"Of course, now the fear is that the ACIP will be filled up with people who know nothing about vaccines except suspicion," said Republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy in a post on X. "I've just spoken with Secretary Kennedy, and I'll continue to talk with him to ensure this is not the case."

Cassidy, a doctor from Louisiana who had expressed wariness about Kennedy's anti-vaccine views before clearing the path for him to become the nation's top health official, said at the time he had received assurances Kennedy would protect existing vaccination programs.

ACIP will convene its next meeting June 25-27 at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, the department said.

Once the FDA approves vaccines for sale to the public, ACIP's role is to review data in a public meeting and vote on vaccine recommendations, which are then sent to the CDC director to sign off.

The Affordable Care Act generally requires insurers to cover vaccines that are listed on the CDC vaccine schedules for adults and children. The recommendations also determine which vaccines the CDC's Vaccines for Children program will provide free of charge to those without insurance. (Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein in Washington, Michael Erman in New York, and Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago; Additional reporting by Puyaan Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Bill Berkrot)