Fact Check: "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired the current roster of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in June 2025, describing it as a 'clean sweep' of the panel."
What We Know
On June 9, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under the leadership of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced the complete reconstitution of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This action involved the removal of all 17 sitting members of the committee, which is responsible for making recommendations on vaccine safety and efficacy to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (HHS Press Release). Kennedy stated that this "clean sweep" was necessary to restore public trust in vaccine science, emphasizing the need for unbiased science and transparency in the committee's operations (HHS Op-Ed).
Kennedy's decision was framed within the context of a broader effort to address perceived conflicts of interest within the committee, which he claimed had become a "rubber stamp" for industry agendas (NPR). He noted that the previous administration had appointed the members, which would have limited the current administration's ability to appoint a majority until 2028 (Washington Post).
Analysis
The claim that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired the current roster of ACIP members and described it as a "clean sweep" is substantiated by multiple reputable sources. The HHS press release explicitly states that all 17 members were removed, and Kennedy's own words confirm the term "clean sweep" was used to describe this action (HHS Press Release, CIDRAP).
The credibility of the sources reporting this event is generally high, as they include official government announcements and established news organizations. For instance, NPR, ABC News, and The Washington Post have reported on this significant change in a straightforward manner, corroborating the details of Kennedy's announcement and the implications of the committee's reconstitution (NPR, ABC News, Washington Post).
However, it is important to note that Kennedy's framing of the situation reflects his administration's perspective, which may introduce some bias. His statements about the previous administration's appointments and the alleged conflicts of interest within ACIP are part of a broader narrative aimed at restoring public trust in vaccines, which could be seen as politically motivated (New York Times).
Despite this potential bias, the factual basis of the claim—that Kennedy fired the ACIP members and referred to it as a "clean sweep"—is well-supported by the evidence.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired the current roster of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in June 2025, describing it as a "clean sweep," is accurate. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that all 17 members were removed as part of a strategy to restore public trust in vaccine science, as articulated by Kennedy himself.
Sources
- HHS Takes Bold Step to Restore Public Trust in Vaccines by ...
- RFK Jr.: HHS Moves to Restore Public Trust in Vaccines
- Kennedy removes all ACIP members, eyes replacements
- RFK Jr. boots all members of the CDC's vaccine advisory committee
- RFK Jr. Announces Eight New Members of CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel - The ...
- RFK Jr. purges CDC's vaccine advisory committee that recommends shots
- RFK Jr. removes every member of CDC vaccine advisory committee
- RFK Jr. removes all 17 members of CDC's vaccine advisory committee
