Fact Check: "Kennedy fires all 17 members of vaccine advisory panel, shocking the health community."
What We Know
On June 9, 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health, announced the dismissal of all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine policy and recommendations. Kennedy stated that this action was necessary to restore public trust in vaccines, claiming that the current committee had been compromised by conflicts of interest and had functioned as a "rubber stamp" for pharmaceutical companies (NPR, New York Times).
Kennedy's decision was met with widespread criticism from public health experts and medical organizations. The American Medical Association expressed concern that this move undermines a transparent process that has historically saved lives (NPR). Critics argue that Kennedy's allegations regarding conflicts of interest among ACIP members are unfounded, as committee members are required to disclose any potential conflicts and recuse themselves from voting when necessary (NPR, New York Times).
Analysis
The claim that Kennedy fired all 17 members of the vaccine advisory panel is accurate and well-documented across multiple reputable sources. The decision was officially announced in a press release from the Department of Health and Human Services and reiterated in an opinion piece by Kennedy in The Wall Street Journal (NPR, New York Times).
Kennedy's rationale for this drastic measure centers on his belief that the committee's integrity had been compromised. However, experts have pointed out that the very report he referenced to support his claims of conflicts of interest actually contradicts his assertions (NPR, New York Times). Furthermore, past members of ACIP have emphasized that the committee has been a model of evidence-based vaccine policy (NPR).
The sources used in this analysis, including NPR, The New York Times, and Reuters, are recognized for their journalistic integrity and adherence to fact-checking standards. However, it is important to note that Kennedy's history as a vaccine skeptic may introduce bias into his statements and decisions regarding vaccine policy (New York Times, Washington Post).
Conclusion
The claim that Kennedy fired all 17 members of the vaccine advisory panel is True. The decision has been confirmed by multiple reliable sources and has sparked significant backlash from the public health community. The implications of this move raise concerns about the future of vaccine policy in the U.S., particularly given Kennedy's previous positions and statements regarding vaccines.
Sources
- RFK Jr. boots all members of the CDC's vaccine advisory committee. NPR
- Fired members say Kennedy's vaccine panel shake-up weakens US immunization. Reuters
- Kennedy Removes All C.D.C. Vaccine Panel Experts. New York Times
- RFK Jr. purges every vaccine adviser on CDC panel, will pick replacements. Washington Post
- The members of RFK Jr.'s new vaccine committee have published little on vaccines. Science
- RFK Jr. fires every member of CDC expert panel on vaccines. Stat News
- Kennedy fires key vaccine panel, despite previous assurances. NJ Spotlight News
- RFK Jr. ousts entire 17-person CDC vaccine advisory committee. PBS
