Safeguard Public Health - Restore ACIP - Refute Kennedy Jr. Order

Today I take pen in hand to write and condemn Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to remove the entire Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) This action is a red flag for this man’s competence and threatens public health. ACIP plays a vital role in developing recommendations on vaccine use to control diseases in the US, based on scientific evidence. Dismissing this panel of experts without proper justification undermines trust in vaccine science and public health guidance, all on the ‘beliefs’ of one mentally incompetent man. This unprecedented move by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is undoubtedly motivated by his long-standing anti-vaccine stance and promotion of false claims about vaccine safety. His recent op-ed citing conflicts of interest as the reason lacks credibility, given that ACIP members are required to disclose any potential conflicts and recuse themselves accordingly. Replacing ACIP with members aligned with Kennedy's anti-vaccine views could lead to dangerous consequences. A decline in vaccination rates would put millions at risk of preventable diseases like measles, which has already seen a surge in cases this year due to waning immunization coverage. Protecting public trust in vaccines and maintaining high immunization rates must be a top priority of health agencies. Restoring the original ACIP or appointing a new committee of qualified, independent experts without anti-vaccine biases is crucial to safeguarding the health and well-being of all Americans. I urge you to take action to prevent this erosion of science-based policymaking in public health. Thank you.