The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has undergone major restructuring:
all 17 original members were dismissed in June 2025 by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with new appointees that include some with limited vaccine expertise and skepticism about vaccines15.
Multiple prominent medical organizations (such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, and others) have been barred from participating in ACIP working groups—these liaisons historically provided independent, non-voting expertise to the committee345.
The administration stated that excluding these liaisons was to address alleged biases and conflicts of interest, claiming future experts will be included based on individual expertise, not group affiliation45.
CDC staff, notably those tracking respiratory virus data for ACIP, have resigned or been sidelined, expressing concern that the revised committee lacks scientific rigor and is less likely to use data objectively2.
Leading medical groups and former ACIP members have sharply criticized the move, warning it threatens transparency, public health, and trust in vaccine policy development34.
This reorganization follows policy shifts that deemphasized vaccine recommendations for children, pregnant people, and other groups not considered high risk12.
Sources:
1. https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/06/hhs-secretary-kennedy-dismisses-entire-cdc-vaccine-advisory-panel
2. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/cdc-respiratory-virus-official-resigns-former-acip-members-warn-immunization-progress
3. https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/prevention-wellness/latest-acip-move-dangerous-nation-s-health
4. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/multiple-medical-groups-barred-work-cdcs-panel-vaccine/story?id=124292319
5. https://www.statnews.com/2025/08/01/cdc-vaccine-advisers-acip-work-groups-recommendations/