HHS Replaces Entire Vaccine Advisory Committee to Rebuild Public Trust

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a sweeping overhaul of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP), replacing all 17 members to restore public confidence in vaccine recommendations. The ACIP advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine safety, efficacy, and clinical necessity.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., emphasized the move prioritizes unbiased science and transparency. “The public must know that impartial, evidence-based science guides our health agencies,” Kennedy said, citing the need to eliminate conflicts of interest.

The decision aligns with President Trump’s Restoring Gold Standard Science executive order, mandating credible and impartial scientific evidence in government activities. The Biden administration appointed all prior ACIP members, with 13 named in 2024, limiting the current administration’s influence until 2028. HHS deemed this a barrier to rebuilding trust.

“A clean sweep is necessary to reestablish confidence in vaccine science,” Kennedy stated. “The new ACIP will prioritize public health over industry agendas, restoring the integrity once admired globally.”

The reconstituted ACIP, with new members under consideration, will convene June 25-27 at CDC headquarters in Atlanta.

The move signals a broader push for transparency in public health, aiming to address eroded trust in vaccine science through rigorous, evidence-based recommendations.