Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), citing a need to restore “gold standard science” and rebuild public trust in vaccines. The decision, part of his broader Make America Healthy Again initiative, has drawn immediate fire from establishment figures like Senator Susan Collins (R-ME).
“It seems to me to be excessive to ask for everybody’s resignations,” Collins told reporters, admitting she had just learned about the sweeping action.
The decision, announced through a press release and a Wall Street Journal op-ed authored by Kennedy, aims to eliminate partisan influence from vaccine policy and break the grip of legacy appointees from the Biden administration.
“Thirteen of the 17 ACIP members were appointed in 2024 by the Biden administration,” the release stated. “These appointments were intended to lock in a public health agenda that this administration fundamentally disagrees with.”
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Kennedy’s Shake-Up: Aimed at Evidence, Not Ideology
RFK Jr., a long-time critic of pharmaceutical industry influence in public health, emphasized that the overhaul is about returning to evidence-based, transparent science. His team insists that keeping the previous panel would have stifled reform efforts and extended partisan control until 2028.
“The prior administration made a concerted effort to cement its ideology within the CDC,” Kennedy’s statement continued. “This decision is not about politics—it’s about restoring faith in our healthcare institutions.”
The announcement reflects growing dissatisfaction among Americans with how public health decisions were handled during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, especially surrounding vaccine mandates, emergency authorizations, and pharmaceutical lobbying.
Senators React: Collins and Cassidy Criticize ‘Extreme Overreach’
Despite the administration’s rationale, key Senate Republicans were quick to voice concern. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, echoed Collins’ sentiment and took to social media to issue a veiled warning:
“Now the fear is that the ACIP will be filled with people who know nothing about vaccines except suspicion,” Cassidy posted on X. “I’ve spoken with Secretary Kennedy and will continue to engage with him on this issue.”
Many critics argue that Kennedy’s move may jeopardize public health by introducing uncertainty into national immunization policy, despite assurances from his office that qualified, unbiased experts will replace the outgoing members.
Follow the Money: Senators’ Ties to Pharma Raise Questions
As covered earlier by Different HUB, Kennedy’s opponents on the Senate HELP Committee—including both Cassidy and Collins—have long-standing ties to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.
- From 2019 to 2025, Senator Bill Cassidy accepted over $2.6 million in campaign contributions from Big Pharma and healthcare interests.
- Susan Collins received more than $1.4 million from similar sources over the same period.
These financial ties have raised conflict-of-interest concerns, especially as Kennedy’s healthcare reform agenda seeks to reduce corporate influence in policymaking and restore scientific integrity to federal agencies like the CDC and FDA.
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What’s Next for the CDC and U.S. Vaccine Policy?
The dismissal of the ACIP’s existing members marks a pivotal moment in U.S. public health governance. Supporters argue that Kennedy is making the tough decisions necessary to dismantle the revolving door between Big Pharma and federal regulators. Critics claim the abrupt shake-up could destabilize long-standing vaccine protocols and undermine public confidence.
Still, for RFK Jr., the move is consistent with his campaign promise to rebuild trust in America’s institutions—especially those most central to people’s health and safety.
“This isn’t about ideology. It’s about accountability,” said Kennedy. “We need public health officials who put science before politics.”
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