Fact Check: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Dismantled the CDC's Vaccine Advisory Panel
What We Know
On June 9, 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, announced the dismissal of all 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This committee plays a crucial role in advising the CDC on vaccine recommendations, which are essential for public health and insurance coverage (New York Times). Kennedy justified the firings by claiming that the committee was "plagued with persistent conflicts of interest" and that this action would help restore public trust in vaccines (AP News).
Kennedy's decision has been met with significant backlash from public health experts, who argue that it undermines the integrity of vaccine recommendations and could exacerbate public mistrust in vaccines (PBS News). Critics also pointed out that Kennedy's claims about conflicts of interest were largely unfounded, as ACIP members are required to disclose any potential conflicts at the beginning of each meeting (FactCheck.org).
Analysis
The evidence surrounding Kennedy's actions indicates that he did indeed dismantle the CDC's vaccine advisory panel. The firings were widely reported across multiple reputable news outlets, confirming the event's occurrence (NPR). Kennedy's rationale for this decision, however, has been criticized as lacking substantial evidence. For instance, public health experts have stated that the claims of widespread conflicts of interest among ACIP members are not supported by the actual practices of the committee, which includes rigorous conflict-of-interest screenings (CIDRAP).
The sources reporting on this event are generally credible, including major news organizations like the New York Times and AP News, which have established reputations for journalistic integrity. However, the framing of Kennedy's actions as a "dismantling" of the advisory panel is supported by the fact that he has replaced all members, indicating a significant shift in the panel's composition and potentially its recommendations (CNN).
Conclusion
The claim that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismantled the CDC's vaccine advisory panel is True. The evidence clearly shows that he fired all members of the ACIP, a significant action that alters the landscape of vaccine recommendations in the U.S. While Kennedy has framed this decision as a means to restore trust in vaccines, the overwhelming consensus among public health experts is that it poses risks to vaccine credibility and public health.
Sources
- RFK's reckless firing of CDC vaccine advisers not supported ...
- RFK Jr. Removes All CDC Vaccine Panel Experts
- New vaccine advisers named to CDC panel : Shots - Health News
- RFK Jr. ousts ACIP group that advises CDC on vaccines | AP News
- RFK Jr. ousts entire 17-person CDC vaccine advisory committee
- RFK Jr. removes all current members of CDC vaccine advisory ...
- RFK Jr. removes all current members of CDC vaccine ...
- RFK Jr.’s Flawed Justifications for ‘Clean Sweep’ of CDC ...
