1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I am alarmed at the actions of the Secretry of HHS, as his continued ignorance is endangering public health. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a track record for undermining scientific experts and eroding public trust. Despite having no training in medicine, immunology, or epidemiolgy, Secretary Kennedy took it upon himself to replace every member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Several of the new commitee members have spread medical misinformation in the past. Science is a non-partisan subject. The proposed recommendations of Kennedy’s newly formed ACIP are based in politics rather than on evidence. These recommendations will have repercussions, as they are frequently used to establish which vaccines are covered by health insurers or programs such as Vaccines for Children. The meeting agenda includes discussions about the hepatitis B vaccintation that is given to newborns. This is especially concerning because infants who are infected with HBV have a 90% chance of developing chronic hepatitis. Several experts have questioned why the hepatitis B vaccine recommendation is being addressed despite its proven efficacy and long-standing history of safety. Kennedy’s ACIP has not addressed these questions. Former CDC director Dr. Susan Monarez told lawmakers today that Secretary Kennedy directed her to approve every recommendation from the panel “regardless of scientific evidence”. Congress has a constitutional and moral obligartion to act. The health and safety of millions are at stake. As your constiuent, I firmly believe that you should support the impeachment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.