HHS Secretary Kennedy’s Actions on Vaccines

I am writing to express deep concern over Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent decision to dismiss all 17 current members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the independent panel responsible for guiding the nation’s vaccine recommendations.   During his Senate confirmation, Secretary Kennedy assured lawmakers he would not alter the ACIP or undermine vaccine policy. Senator Bill Cassidy, who voted to confirm Kennedy, stated on the Senate floor that Kennedy had “committed that he would work within the current vaccine approval and safety monitoring system and not establish parallel systems,” and specifically promised to “maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices without changes.” Senator Susan Collins also expressed confidence in Kennedy’s testimony, stating she was “reassured by his explicit commitment to uphold established vaccine guidelines and the independence of the ACIP.” Both senators, and others, relied on these assurances in supporting his confirmation.   Kennedy’s abrupt removal of the entire committee directly contradicts these assurances. The ACIP is composed of independent medical and public health experts, including pediatricians, epidemiologists, and specialists from leading universities. Their recommendations shape immunization schedules for children and adults and are fundamental to public health policy. The American Medical Association and other health leaders have condemned Kennedy’s move, warning that it “upends a transparent process that has saved countless lives” and risks eroding public trust in vaccines.   Furthermore, Kennedy’s long history of spreading misinformation about vaccine safety and effectiveness was well known prior to his confirmation. Senators Cassidy and Collins, and the entire Senate, should have exercised greater caution given Kennedy’s record. Now, his actions to reduce funding for vaccine programs and undermine established advisory processes raise additional concerns about his commitment to maintaining evidence-based vaccine policy.   Given these facts, I urge Congress to investigate Secretary Kennedy’s actions and hold him accountable for breaking his public commitments and undermining the nation’s vaccine infrastructure. The health and safety of millions of Americans depend on the integrity and independence of our vaccine advisory system.