Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chair of the Senate HELP Committee and key to RFK Jr.'s HHS confirmation, has called for the postponement of the upcoming CDC vaccine advisory committee (ACIP) meeting following a major shakeup by RFK Jr.123
RFK Jr., serving as HHS Secretary, recently dismissed all 17 former members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and appointed eight new members, some of whom lack direct experience in microbiology, epidemiology, or immunology and have expressed skepticism about new vaccine technologies such as mRNA shots.123
Cassidy expressed concerns that the panel is not fully staffed or balanced as required by law and noted that the new members may have biases against vaccines, urging that the meeting be delayed until the ACIP includes more qualified, experienced, and balanced representation.123
There is currently no confirmed CDC Director to approve the panel’s recommendations, prompting Cassidy to further question the legitimacy of proceeding with the meeting. The upcoming HELP Committee hearing will address the confirmation of Trump's CDC Director nominee, Susan Monarez.13
The ACIP meeting, scheduled for June 25 and 26, is set to review and vote on vaccine recommendations, including those for maternal/pediatric RSV and for the Vaccines for Children program.3
Sources:
1. https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/sen-cassidy-key-rfk-jrs-hhs-confirmation-calls-deferral-cdcs-vaccine-meeting
2. https://www.statnews.com/2025/06/23/bill-cassidy-calls-for-acip-vaccine-panel-delay-after-rfk-jr-purge/
3. https://abc7ny.com/post/cdc-vaccine-advisory-committee-what-expect-meeting-rfk-jrs-new-members/16836490/