Fact Check: "The 17 members of the ACIP panel fired by Kennedy published a viewpoint in the Journal of the American Medical Association expressing concern over the dismantling of the vaccine recommendation process."
What We Know
The claim suggests that the 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) who were recently dismissed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. published a viewpoint in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) expressing concern about the dismantling of the vaccine recommendation process. However, there is no evidence to support this assertion.
Kennedy announced the removal of all 17 ACIP members on June 9, 2025, stating that this action was necessary to restore public trust in vaccine science (NPR, USA Today). The decision was met with significant backlash from public health officials and medical organizations, who argued that it undermined a transparent process that has been crucial for vaccine recommendations (ABC News, CBS News).
While some former ACIP members expressed alarm over the firings and the potential impact on vaccine policy, there is no record of them publishing a viewpoint in JAMA or any other major medical journal regarding this issue (MedPage Today, Axios).
Analysis
The claim lacks substantiation from credible sources. A search of the JAMA archives does not reveal any articles authored by the dismissed ACIP members concerning their concerns about the dismantling of the vaccine recommendation process. The absence of such a publication raises questions about the validity of the claim.
Moreover, the context surrounding the firings indicates a significant shift in vaccine policy under Kennedy's leadership. He has been criticized for his anti-vaccine stance, which has led to fears among public health experts about the future of vaccine recommendations (Newsweek). The statements made by former ACIP members and public health officials primarily focus on the potential consequences of the firings rather than any formal publication expressing their concerns in a peer-reviewed journal.
The sources reporting on the firings, including NPR, USA Today, and ABC News, provide a comprehensive overview of the situation but do not mention any viewpoint published in JAMA by the dismissed members. This lack of evidence from reputable sources further undermines the credibility of the claim.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that the 17 members of the ACIP panel fired by Kennedy published a viewpoint in the Journal of the American Medical Association expressing concern over the dismantling of the vaccine recommendation process is not supported by any credible evidence. There are no records of such a publication, and the discussions surrounding the firings have not included any formal expressions of concern in major medical journals.
Sources
- RFK Jr. boots all members of the CDC's vaccine advisory committee - NPR
- RFK Jr. fired all 17 members of key vaccine committee ACIP. What ... - USA Today
- RFK Jr. removes all 17 members of CDC's vaccine advisory committee - ABC News
- RFK Jr. removes every member of CDC vaccine advisory committee - CBS News
- Removed ACIP Members Say 'U.S. Vaccine Program Critically Weakened' - MedPage Today
- Meet the new members of CDC's vaccine advisory panel - Advisory
- RFK Jr. removes all 17 members of vaccine committee for CDC - Axios
- RFK Jr. Cuts 17 CDC Vaccine Advisers in Complete Overhaul - Newsweek
