1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

I am shocked by Secretary Kennedy’s decision to request the resignations of the members of the Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices. This action will reduce public trust in public health and its impartiality. Moreover, should ACIP be reconstituted with members who are favorable to Secretary Kennedy’s views on vaccines, it seems likely that essential vaccines will be deprioritized or not recommended. This means that it will be difficult for constituents to access and pay for vaccines, as they will need to pay for them out-of-pocket or not at all. Families dependent on Medicaid or CHIPS will be unable to access vaccines through these programs. This will likely increase the incidence of preventable diseases and their follow-on effects. I am asking the Maryland delegation to please take appropriate action against Secretary Kennedy as more information becomes available (hearings, censure, impeachment, fiscal consequences for HHS all seem to be potentially available). I would also ask the Senators, in particular, to consider confronting their colleagues (Senators Cassidy and Collins would seem to be especially appropriate, since Senator Cassidy conditioned his approval on leaving ACIP untouched and Senator Collins has gone on record as being concerned). They voted for this, perhaps they would like to explain publicly to the American people what they intend to do now that the Secretary has violated their trust. Thank you all for your work, I am deeply appreciative of it. I know it is hard to carry on when so many things are happening, but we really are depending on Congress to do what it can.