Kennedy’s HHS Overhaul Sparks National Debate Over Vaccine Policies

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has ignited a national debate by dismissing all 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) influential vaccine advisory panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), on June 9, 2025. The move, described by Kennedy as a “clean sweep,” is part of a sweeping overhaul of federal vaccine policy and has drawn both praise and alarm from across the public health spectrum.

Major Shake-Up of Vaccine Oversight

Kennedy’s decision to remove the entire ACIP panel marks one of the most significant changes to U.S. vaccine policy in decades. The ACIP, composed of independent experts, reviews scientific evidence and makes recommendations on vaccine use, directly influencing which vaccines are included in the national immunization schedule and covered by insurance. Kennedy claims the committee had become “little more than a rubber stamp for industry profit-taking agendas” and cited “persistent conflicts of interest” as justification for the overhaul.

In a statement, Kennedy emphasized, “Today we are prioritizing the restoration of public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda. The public must know that unbiased science—evaluated through a transparent process and insulated from conflicts of interest—guides the recommendations of our health agencies”.

Policy Reversals and Contract Cancellations

The firings come on the heels of Kennedy canceling a $700 million contract with Moderna for a bird flu vaccine and a $460 million agreement for a new COVID-19 vaccine, both initiated under the previous administration. He has also paused a multimillion-dollar COVID-19 vaccine contract and withdrawn federal recommendations for routine COVID-19 vaccination in healthy children and pregnant women—decisions that traditionally would be determined by ACIP. Funding for programs developing vaccines for future pandemics has also been cut, raising concerns about national preparedness.

Political and Scientific Backlash

Kennedy’s actions have sparked immediate backlash from public health experts and lawmakers. Critics warn that removing the advisory committee could erode decades of vaccine-driven public health progress and undermine trust in scientific institutions. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who supported Kennedy’s confirmation after receiving assurances that ACIP’s recommendations would remain unchanged, expressed concern that the new panel might lack necessary expertise, stating, “Of course, now the fear is that the ACIP will be filled up with people who know nothing about vaccines except suspicion”.

Public health leaders, including epidemiologists and former CDC officials, have voiced fears that the overhaul could politicize vaccine policy and reduce transparency in decision-making. The Biden administration had appointed most of the outgoing ACIP members, with Kennedy arguing that this left the panel insulated from the new administration’s influence until 2028.

Supporters Applaud Move for Transparency

Supporters of Kennedy’s actions argue that the changes will restore public trust by challenging pharmaceutical influence and ensuring that recommendations are based on unbiased science. Kennedy has pledged to appoint a new slate of experts to the committee, though no names have been disclosed. The next ACIP meeting is scheduled for late June, but it remains unclear who will serve on the reconstituted panel.

Uncertain Future for U.S. Vaccine Policy

As the nation watches, the long-term impact of Kennedy’s overhaul remains uncertain. The decisions made in the coming weeks could reshape the U.S. approach to immunization, vaccine access, and pandemic preparedness for years to come.