New Panel of Experts Appointed to CDC Vaccine Policy Committee
WASHINGTON — HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a significant announcement on Wednesday regarding the appointment of eight new members to the panel of experts that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine policy. Kennedy revealed that the new panel members would not only review the current vaccine schedule but also evaluate new vaccine options.
In a post on X, Kennedy expressed confidence in the expertise of the newly appointed members, describing them as highly credentialed scientists, leading public health experts, and accomplished physicians. The committee is set to convene for a meeting later this month.
This move comes shortly after Kennedy dismissed all previous members of the committee, emphasizing the need for a fresh start with new faces. The committee’s upcoming meeting signals a renewed focus on vaccine policy and evaluation.
The ousted members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) were let go as part of Kennedy’s efforts to overhaul the public health system’s approach to vaccine recommendations. ACIP plays a crucial role in studying vaccines in development and providing guidance to the CDC on their recommended use.
Among the new appointees are several vocal critics of vaccines, reflecting Kennedy’s commitment to diversity of perspectives on the panel. The eight new members, a smaller cohort compared to the previous 17, include:
- Dr. Joseph R. Hibbeln, psychiatrist and nutritional scientist with previous experience at the NIH;
- Dr. Martin Kulldorf, epidemiologist formerly from Harvard Medical School and ACIP vaccine subgroup member;
- Retsef Levi, operations management professor at MIT Sloan School of Management;
- Dr. Robert Malone, physician known for early research on mRNA vaccine technology;
- Dr. Cody Meissner, pediatrics professor at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine with advisory roles at CDC and FDA;
- Dr. James Pagano, emergency medicine physician;
- Vicky Pebsworth, nurse with a PhD in public health and prior service on FDA vaccine advisory committees;
- Dr. Michael Ross, obstetrician and gynecologist with CDC advisory committee experience.
Kennedy’s familiarity with some of the appointees suggests a long-standing interest in their work. Notably, Malone, Kuldorff, Pebsworth, and Meissner are mentioned in Kennedy’s book, “The Real Anthony Fauci,” which challenges the actions of the former health official during the pandemic.
As a prominent vaccine critic, Kennedy has criticized ACIP for alleged conflicts of interest and industry influence. In a detailed post on X following the committee overhaul, Kennedy accused ACIP of historical corruption and malpractice for not requiring placebo-controlled trials for childhood vaccines. He has also raised concerns about members’ ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
ACIP has strict rules to address conflicts of interest, with members recusing themselves from decisions where conflicts may arise. Former members like Wilbur Chen and Bonnie Maldonado have previously abstained from voting on vaccine recommendations due to their involvement in related projects.
For over five decades, ACIP has been instrumental in shaping CDC vaccine policies, analyzing data on vaccine efficacy, disease risks, and side effects. The committee’s deliberations provide a critical review of vaccines by leading experts in the field.
Joining ACIP is a rigorous process, involving thorough vetting of expertise and potential conflicts of interest. The Biden administration has occasionally faced delays in appointing new members to replace those completing their terms on the committee.
This evolving story will be updated as new developments unfold.
