Kennedy removes all ACIP members, eyes replacements
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| Taylor Jones, politicalcartoons.com |
The move comes just ahead of ACIP’s next regularly scheduled
meeting from June 25 to June 27,
during which the group is slated to take up COVID-19 vaccine matters, as well
as those for several other vaccines. Also, the announcement comes in the wake
of a recent top-down
decision about COVID vaccine recommendations, which deemphasized
recommended use in children, pregnant women, and other groups.
Typically, ACIP makes vaccine recommendations following
robust public deliberations. HHS did not detail the scientific basis of its new
recommendations.
In a statement, the HHS Secretary Robert F. Kenney Jr. said the step is needed to restore public trust, and to remove conflicts of interests. The statement did not detail any conflicts seen in the current members.
Kennedy says 'clean sweep' needed
HHS said the Biden administration appointed all 17 members,
including 13 in 2024, and the Trump administration would have been prevented
from choosing a majority of the committee until 2028.
"A clean sweep is necessary to reestablish public
confidence in vaccine science," Kennedy said. "ACIP's
new members will prioritize public health and evidence-based medicine."
Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH, director of the University of
Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), which
publishes CIDRAP News, called the move dangerous.
“This is one of the darkest days in modern public health
history," he said. "Science does not matter to Mr. Kennedy.”
In a statement emailed to reporters, Infectious Diseases
Society of America President Tina Tan, MD, said the move will have a negative
impact on Americans of all ages.
“Unilaterally removing an entire panel of experts is
reckless, shortsighted and severely harmful," Tan said.
