1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the abrupt dismissal of all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on June 9, 2025—along with the removal of longstanding recommendations for COVID‑19 vaccines for children and pregnant women. These actions represent a grave departure from sound public health practice, guided not by science but by ideology. ACIP has served as the gold standard in vaccine guidance for over sixty years, helping to save countless lives and prevent disease outbreaks. Its members are rigorously vetted to avoid conflicts of interest, and their expert advice directly informs which vaccines are covered by insurance and administered nationwide. Disbanding the committee without due process, transparency, or clear replacements undermines this critical public health safeguard. Secretary Kennedy’s justification for this “clean sweep,” citing alleged conflicts of interest, has been soundly refuted by credible reporting. Government audits confirm that ACIP’s procedures are transparent and well-regulated, and former members have affirmed there is no basis for the claims. Replacing independent experts with unvetted appointees threatens to shift vaccine policy from a scientific framework to one driven by personal beliefs—and this is profoundly dangerous. Doctors, medical associations, and infectious disease experts have warned that this move will erode public trust, create confusion, and likely lead to lower vaccination rates. It opens the door to the resurgence of preventable diseases such as measles, RSV, HPV, and COVID-19. I urge you to take immediate action to protect public health by: 1 Calling for Congressional oversight hearings to review the legality and public health implications of dismissing ACIP members. 2 Supporting legislation that mandates bipartisan, science-based vetting of vaccine advisory teams, with safeguards against politically motivated dismissals. 3 Demanding transparency regarding the qualifications and potential conflicts of any newly appointed advisory members. 4 Ensuring that ACIP, or a comparable independent advisory body, is restored under statutes that protect scientific integrity and shield it from political interference. The health and safety of our communities depend on preserving evidence-based public health policy. I urge you to stand for science, protect public trust, and hold Health Secretary Kennedy accountable for these actions. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I welcome the opportunity to support any efforts you lead to restore responsible vaccine policy in the United States.