Fact Check: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Disbands CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
What We Know
On June 5, 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, announced the removal of all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine policies. Kennedy stated that this decision was necessary to restore public confidence in vaccine science, claiming that the new members would prioritize public health and evidence-based medicine (NPR, AP News). This move has been met with significant criticism from public health officials and medical groups, who argue that it undermines a transparent process that has historically guided vaccination policy in the U.S. (New York Times).
Kennedy's announcement was made through a press release and an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal, where he emphasized the need for a "clean sweep" to eliminate perceived conflicts of interest among the previous committee members (NPR). Critics, including the American Medical Association and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, have expressed concerns that this action could jeopardize vaccine access and public trust in vaccination efforts (AP News, Contagion Live).
Analysis
The claim that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. disbanded the CDC's vaccine advisory committee is supported by multiple credible sources. The announcement was widely reported across major news outlets, including NPR, AP News, and The New York Times, all of which confirm the removal of the committee members and the rationale provided by Kennedy (NPR, AP News, New York Times).
Kennedy's assertion that the previous committee members had conflicts of interest has been challenged by experts who point out that ACIP members are required to disclose any potential conflicts and recuse themselves from voting when necessary (NPR). Furthermore, a government report cited by Kennedy to support his claims of conflicts among ACIP members has been reported to show otherwise (NPR). This discrepancy raises questions about the validity of Kennedy's justification for the disbandment.
The reliability of the sources reporting on this event is generally high, as they include established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. However, it is important to note that Kennedy's background as a prominent anti-vaccine activist may influence his perspective and the framing of his actions (AP News). Critics argue that his decision to remove the committee could politicize vaccine policy and undermine decades of scientific rigor (AP News, Contagion Live).
Conclusion
The claim that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the disbandment of the independent advisory committee on vaccines for the CDC is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that he has removed all members of the ACIP and intends to replace them with new appointees. While Kennedy's actions are framed as a means to restore public trust in vaccines, the backlash from the medical community suggests significant concerns about the implications of this decision for public health policy.
