RFK may replace entire panel of CDC vaccine advisors again, ally lets slip

In a surprising turn of events, a member of a prominent federal vaccine advisory committee claimed on Thursday that the panel had been disbanded due to a temporary injunction issued by a federal judge, suggesting it would undergo complete restructuring. However, shortly after making this announcement, he backtracked, stating that it was merely a possibility rather than a confirmed action. This assertion sparked a considerable online reaction, particularly among public health experts who viewed it positively. Many expressed relief, as the current panel members have been criticized for holding anti-vaccine perspectives and lacking adequate qualifications for their roles on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). These members were selected by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who previously dismissed all 17 qualified experts from the committee. Under Kennedy's leadership, the new ACIP has convened for several contentious meetings, during which they voted to reverse the CDC’s science-based vaccine recommendations. A pivotal moment occurred on Monday when Federal Judge Brian Murphy issued a temporary injunction halting the actions of Kennedy’s appointed members, citing their improper appointment and the lack of procedural integrity in altering vaccine guidelines. This ruling was the result of a lawsuit filed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical organizations challenging Kennedy's anti-vaccine initiatives. The controversy intensified with Robert Malone, vice chair of the current ACIP, claiming in a social media post that “ACIP has been disbanded.” He suggested that the government’s response to the AAP lawsuit and Judge Murphy’s injunction would be to dissolve and recreate the committee, arguing that this approach would be quicker than pursuing an appeal. Malone also expressed concern that the health department had no plans to defend the committee members against what he described as Murphy's “defamatory characterization” regarding their expertise in vaccines and immunizations.