Writing time: August 2, 2025, 14:00 EDT

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has removed over half a dozen of the nation’s most respected medical organizations from its vaccine advisory workgroups. The decision, communicated via email, has sparked concern among public health experts, who warn it may undermine the integrity and trust in U.S. vaccine policy.

Leading Medical Associations Disinvited from CDC Vaccine Panels

On Thursday, U.S. health officials notified several prominent medical organizations — including the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) — that their experts would no longer participate in the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) workgroups.

These workgroups are instrumental in developing evidence-based vaccine recommendations for the CDC, which historically have shaped national immunization practices and insurance coverage guidelines.

Dr. William Schaffner, a prominent vaccine expert from Vanderbilt University who has worked with ACIP for decades, said the move is “distressing” and could lead to conflicting guidance between federal agencies and frontline medical professionals.

“This decision fragments what had been a unified voice on vaccination,” Schaffner said. “It will confuse both physicians and the public.”

CDC Justifies Move Citing Potential Conflicts of Interest

According to an email obtained by Bloomberg and confirmed by a federal health official, the rationale behind the decision is rooted in perceived bias. The message described the organizations as “special interest groups” that represent specific constituencies and could be expected to have “biases” in their guidance.

The CDC and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have not provided further details on the new composition of the workgroups or the vetting criteria for selecting members.

Some observers view the change as part of a broader overhaul of the ACIP under U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a controversial figure in public health who has previously promoted vaccine skepticism.

Secretary Kennedy’s Influence and the Restructuring of ACIP

In June, Secretary Kennedy dismissed all members of the ACIP, citing what he characterized as a lack of independence and undue influence from pharmaceutical companies. His replacement appointees include individuals who are openly skeptical of mainstream vaccine policies.

This marks a sharp departure from decades of precedent in which medical and scientific experts from across the field — including clinicians, researchers, and public health authorities — collaborated to form ACIP workgroup recommendations.

Retsef Levi, a newly appointed ACIP member and business professor, defended the shakeup in a Friday post on X (formerly Twitter), writing that future workgroups “will engage experts from even broader set of disciplines” and that selections will be based on “merit & expertise — not membership in organizations proven to have (conflicts of interest) and radical & narrow view of public health.”

Disinvited Organizations Push Back

In a rare joint statement, leaders from the AMA, AAP, IDSA, and several other excluded organizations denounced the decision. Other affected groups include:

• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
• American College of Physicians (ACP)
• American Geriatrics Society (AGS)
• American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
• National Medical Association (NMA)
• National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID)

“To remove our deep medical expertise from this vital and once-transparent process is irresponsible, dangerous to our nation’s health, and will further undermine public and clinician trust in vaccines,” the joint statement read.

They urged HHS and CDC leadership to reconsider the decision in the interest of maintaining evidence-based, nonpartisan vaccine recommendations.

Potential Impact on Public Health Policy and Vaccine Uptake

Historically, the ACIP workgroups provided a transparent structure for incorporating expert review, public comment, and real-world clinical input into federal vaccine guidance. Members were subject to conflict-of-interest screening, ensuring that industry ties or financial incentives did not influence recommendations.

Dr. Schaffner noted that the participation of established medical organizations added legitimacy and practical insight to the process.

“Having their input ensured recommendations were not only scientifically sound but feasible in everyday practice,” he said.

Critics of the current change fear that removing longstanding institutional expertise could lead to less evidence-driven decisions, increase confusion among healthcare providers, and weaken public confidence in vaccine safety and effectiveness.

Ongoing Legal and Political Tensions

The recent decision is the latest flashpoint in growing tensions between federal health authorities and the medical establishment. In July, three of the disinvited groups joined a lawsuit challenging the government’s new policy, specifically the controversial move to stop recommending COVID-19 vaccines for most children and pregnant women.

That lawsuit remains pending and has added to concerns that vaccine policymaking is becoming more politicized under the current administration.

What Comes Next for Vaccine Policy in the U.S.?

At the time of writing, HHS and CDC have not disclosed who will replace the medical experts on the ACIP workgroups or what new criteria will guide vaccine policy recommendations. The future structure of U.S. immunization guidance remains unclear.

In the absence of clear communication, leading medical associations are calling for transparency and accountability, warning that excluding science-based organizations from the process could lead to lower vaccine uptake and increased public health risks.

Until more is known, the exclusion of these organizations marks a significant turning point in how vaccine policy is formed in the United States — one that may reshape the future of public health for years to come.

Source: AP News – AMA and other medical associations are kicked out of CDC vaccine workgroups

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All 17 recently dismissed members of a key U.S. vaccine advisory panel are speaking out — and they’re sounding the alarm.

In a sharply worded essay published Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the former members condemned recent actions by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., calling them “destabilizing decisions” that could roll back decades of public health progress and put Americans at greater risk for preventable diseases.

Their statement comes just days after Kennedy abruptly disbanded the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) — the long-standing panel that helps guide national vaccine recommendations — and removed its veteran CDC coordinator, Dr. Melinda Wharton.

A Sudden Overhaul

Kennedy, a longtime critic of vaccine mandates and pandemic health policies, announced last week that he would “retire” the entire panel. Two days later, he named eight new members, including a prominent skeptic of COVID-19 vaccines, a vocal opponent of lockdowns, and an individual affiliated with a group widely regarded as a hub for vaccine misinformation.

In response, the former members voiced serious concern:

“These destabilizing decisions, made without clear rationale, may roll back the achievements of U.S. immunization policy, impact people’s access to lifesaving vaccines, and ultimately put U.S. families at risk,” they wrote.

CDC Staff Departures Deepen the Concern

The panel shakeup is just part of a broader exodus from the CDC’s immunization division. In recent weeks, several top experts have either been removed or resigned, including longtime staffers who gathered and presented data for ACIP.

Among those departing: Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos, a 12-year CDC veteran. She resigned earlier this month after Kennedy unilaterally reversed COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women — a decision made without consulting the advisory panel.

In her farewell note, she wrote:

“My career in public health and vaccinology started with a deep-seated desire to help the most vulnerable… and that is not something I am able to continue doing in this role.”

What Happens Next?

The newly appointed committee is scheduled to meet next week, although no agenda has been released. According to a recent federal notice, the group is expected to vote on vaccine recommendations for flu, COVID-19, HPV, RSV, and meningococcal disease.

But with key CDC staff gone and new members stepping in cold, the dismissed experts say the transition could compromise the quality and speed of decision-making.

“Terminating all members and its leadership in a single action undermines the committee’s capacity to operate effectively,” they warned.

Kennedy’s Rationale — and Critics’ Warnings

Kennedy has defended the overhaul, claiming the committee had grown too cozy with pharmaceutical companies and was effectively rubber-stamping vaccine approvals. While ACIP policies require members to disclose past industry ties and recuse themselves from conflicts of interest, Kennedy has dismissed those safeguards as insufficient.

The ACIP has been a fixture in U.S. public health since 1964, offering evidence-based guidance on how FDA-approved vaccines should be used. Its recommendations have shaped everything from pediatric vaccine schedules to emergency pandemic response — and are typically adopted by the CDC director and followed by physicians nationwide.

Whether Kennedy’s sweeping reset will reshape vaccine policy for the better or plunge it into chaos remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: many of the nation’s top vaccine experts are worried — and watching closely.

Source: AP News – Dismissed members of CDC vaccine committee call Kennedy’s actions ‘destabilizing’

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Washington, D.C. — A major shift in the nation’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy is underway.

The Trump administration announced a new policy this week that will limit fall COVID-19 vaccinations to seniors and individuals with underlying health conditions, leaving millions of otherwise healthy Americans uncertain about their access to updated shots.

According to new guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), healthy adults under 65 will not be automatically eligible for updated COVID vaccines this fall — a significant departure from the previous policy that recommended annual shots for nearly all Americans ages six months and older.

A More Selective Approach

FDA officials, writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, outlined a more targeted strategy. The plan maintains easy access to vaccines for seniors and high-risk individuals, while recommending extensive clinical trials for companies seeking to offer the shot to healthier populations.

“For many Americans, we simply do not know if they still need another booster,” said Dr. Vinay Prasad, the FDA’s new top vaccine official. Prasad joined the agency this month after years of academic work often critical of how vaccines were reviewed and approved.

Despite the narrower approach, Prasad estimated that over 100 million Americans — including older adults, immunocompromised individuals, and some with chronic illnesses — would still qualify for the upcoming booster.

Pushback From Health Experts and Parents

The move has stirred concern among pediatricians and public health experts.

Dr. Paul Offit, a leading vaccine specialist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, questioned how access will be determined in practice:

“Is the pharmacist going to decide if you’re in a high-risk group? This could make vaccines less accessible and harder to insure.”

Dr. Sean O’Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics warned that the policy might further reduce vaccine access for children, especially in low-income families.

“Removing insurance coverage or availability would take the choice away from families who want to protect their kids from COVID-19,” O’Leary said.

COVID Still a Threat

Although COVID-related deaths have declined, the virus remains a public health threat. According to provisional CDC data, over 47,000 Americans died from COVID in 2023, including 231 children. Two-thirds of those deaths were directly caused by the virus.

A Break From Past Practices

For years, the U.S. government recommended annual COVID-19 boosters for nearly everyone, similar to flu shots. Vaccine makers like Pfizer and Moderna adapted their formulas each year to match circulating strains — and the FDA approved them without requiring extensive new trials, so long as they showed comparable protection.

That era appears to be ending.

The new policy, backed by FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, emphasizes personalized vaccine guidance based on risk — much like in Europe, where eligibility is based on age and vulnerability.

Future approvals for healthy adults may now require full-scale clinical trials, including random assignment to vaccine or placebo groups, to measure effectiveness against severe illness and hospitalization.

A Controversial Rollout

The rollout of this new guidance has raised eyebrows. Instead of issuing a standard draft for public comment, as is typical for FDA policies, the agency published its guidance directly in a medical journal — a move some former FDA staff say skirts federal procedures.

The new approach comes just days before the FDA’s first vaccine advisory panel under Trump and follows a string of moves by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has filled key health posts with vocal critics of past vaccine policies.

Even the recent full approval of Novavax’s COVID shot came with strict limitations on who can receive it — echoing the administration’s tighter stance.

Looking Ahead

The CDC will convene an advisory panel in June to discuss future vaccine recommendations by group, but some worry the FDA’s announcement may already be pre-empting that process.

Dr. Offit pointed out that CDC research still shows benefits from boosters for even healthy adults, offering short-term protection from mild to moderate illness.

Bottom Line

The new Trump-era vaccine policy represents a major pivot in how COVID-19 is handled moving forward — narrowing access to updated shots and signaling a shift away from universal vaccination toward a more selective, risk-based approach.

How this will affect public health outcomes — and vaccine confidence — remains to be seen.

Source: AP News – New Trump vaccine policy limits access to COVID shots

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Uncertain Performance in Senate Hearing

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), faced a tough confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday. The three-hour session was marked by intense questioning, particularly on Medicare and Medicaid—two programs that affect tens of millions of Americans.

Kennedy struggled to provide clear answers on how he would handle these critical healthcare programs or lower healthcare costs. His lack of clarity drew corrections from senators throughout the hearing, raising concerns about his preparedness for the role.

Medicare and Medicaid Stumbles

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician and chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, pressed Kennedy on his plans for Medicaid reform. Kennedy, however, had no concrete proposals.

“I don’t have a broad proposal for dismantling the program,” he admitted after repeated questioning.

His grasp of Medicaid’s structure also appeared shaky. He mistakenly claimed that Medicaid is fully funded by the federal government—when, in reality, it is jointly funded by states and the federal government. He also inaccurately described Medicaid as having “high premiums and high deductibles,” despite it being a virtually free program.

Kennedy further displayed confusion regarding the agency’s funding of community health clinics and its role in enforcing a federal law that mandates emergency rooms stabilize all patients.

Abortion and Vaccine Controversies Take Center Stage

On abortion, Kennedy—a longtime Democrat before aligning with Trump—deflected questions, saying he would follow the former president’s lead. During his failed presidential bid, he had supported abortion access, but at the hearing, he called every abortion a “tragedy.”

His stance on vaccines remained the most contentious issue for Democrats. Kennedy attempted to reassure senators that he supports childhood vaccinations, noting that his own children are vaccinated.

“I believe that vaccines play a critical role in healthcare,” he told the committee.

However, Democrats were not convinced, citing Kennedy’s history of anti-vaccine rhetoric and leadership of Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine advocacy group. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) challenged Kennedy on past conspiracy theories he has spread about COVID-19, pesticides, and AIDS.

“This is a job where it is life and death for kids,” Bennet said, criticizing Kennedy’s history of misinformation.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) accused Kennedy of hypocrisy, pointing to baby onesies being sold on the Children’s Health Defense website with the slogan “Unvaxxed, Unafraid.” Kennedy distanced himself from the group, saying he was no longer involved.

Financial Conflicts and Legal Fees Raise Red Flags

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) questioned Kennedy about his financial ties to lawsuits against drug companies, particularly his legal battle against Merck over Gardasil, a vaccine that prevents cervical cancer. Kennedy earned $850,000 from the lawsuit last year.

Warren asked if he would pledge not to profit from such lawsuits while serving as HHS Secretary. Kennedy refused to commit, prompting Warren to warn:

“No one should be fooled here. As Secretary of HHS, Robert Kennedy will have the power to undercut vaccines and vaccine manufacturing across our country.”

Mental Health and School Shootings Controversy

Another flashpoint came when Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) confronted Kennedy over his past suggestion that school shootings might be linked to antidepressant use.

“These statements reinforce the stigma that people with mental health conditions face every single day,” said Smith, who shared that she personally benefited from using antidepressants.

Republican Support Despite Concerns

While Democrats focused on Kennedy’s controversies, many Republicans saw little cause for concern. If Democrats vote as a bloc against him, Kennedy can afford to lose only four Republican votes and still be confirmed.

Republican Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), a strong opponent of abortion, initially had reservations about Kennedy’s nomination. However, after Kennedy assured him he would follow Trump’s lead on the issue, Lankford appeared more supportive.

Final Thoughts: A Nomination in Jeopardy?

Kennedy tried to shift the focus to other priorities, such as researching food additives and improving federal food assistance programs. However, he reassured senators that he wouldn’t impose bans on popular foods, joking:

“If you like a McDonald’s cheeseburger and a Diet Coke like my boss, you should be able to get them.”

Despite strong backing from many Republicans, Kennedy’s lack of clarity on key healthcare programs and his controversial history with vaccines and lawsuits leave his nomination uncertain. With a crucial vote still pending from Sen. Cassidy, his confirmation hangs in the balance.

Source

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A lawyer associated with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Aaron Siri, has filed a petition asking the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke approval for the polio vaccine. This move, initiated in 2022 on behalf of the nonprofit Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN), has drawn significant attention and controversy. ICAN challenges vaccine safety and mandates, reflecting a skeptical stance on vaccination.

Trump and Kennedy’s Vaccine Views

President-elect Donald Trump has praised the polio vaccine as “the greatest thing,” yet expressed openness to reconsidering certain vaccines for children if deemed dangerous or not beneficial. In contrast, Kennedy, Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has emphasized informed choice over vaccine mandates. “People ought to have a choice, and that choice ought to be informed by the best information,” Kennedy stated in a recent interview with NBC News.

If confirmed as head of HHS, Kennedy would oversee the FDA and could potentially influence its decision-making process regarding the petition. The FDA, however, has maintained that it is reviewing the petition and cannot predict when the review will be completed.

Senate Leader’s Warning

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, issued a stern warning, highlighting the life-saving impact of the polio vaccine. “Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed—they’re dangerous,” McConnell said, advising Kennedy to distance himself from such controversies.

The Impact of Polio Vaccines

Polio vaccination is widely regarded as one of the most significant public health achievements. In the 1950s, polio paralyzed and killed thousands annually. The introduction of vaccines dramatically reduced its prevalence, bringing the world close to eradicating the disease.

Siri’s petition demands a “properly controlled and properly powered double-blind trial” to assess the inactivated polio vaccine’s safety. Critics argue this is unnecessary and misrepresents vaccine safety. Dr. Paul Offit of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia countered, “You’re substituting a theoretical risk for a real risk. The real risks are the diseases.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports the safety of the inactivated polio vaccine, noting no serious adverse events have been documented, except rare allergic reactions.

Different Polio Vaccines and Risks

The United States transitioned from the oral polio vaccine (OPV), which uses a weakened live virus, to the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) due to safety concerns. OPV carries a slight risk of causing paralysis but remains essential in regions where polio still circulates. IPV, administered via injection, eliminates this risk but does not create mucosal immunity, meaning it doesn’t prevent the virus from infecting or being shed by vaccinated individuals.

The Spread of Polio

Poliovirus spreads via the fecal-oral route, often through contaminated hands or surfaces. The oral vaccine’s weakened virus can also be shed and mutate in under-vaccinated populations, leading to vaccine-derived cases. In 2023, vaccine-derived strains caused 524 cases globally, a decline from 881 in 2022.

Conclusion

The debate over the polio vaccine underscores the ongoing tension between vaccine skepticism and public health advocacy. While proponents stress the vaccine’s critical role in eradicating a deadly disease, detractors like Siri and ICAN raise questions about regulatory processes and safety standards. The outcome of the FDA’s review will have significant implications for public health policy and vaccine confidence.

Source

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Trump’s First Day Plans Include Pardons for Capitol Rioters and Immigration Overhaul
President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to take swift action on his first day in office, promising pardons for those involved in the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot and proposing a major overhaul of the country’s birthright citizenship policy. In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump expressed support for pardoning individuals convicted for their roles in the Capitol attack, calling their conditions “hell” and describing their detention as “filthy” and “disgusting.”

“We’re going to look at independent cases, but I’ll be acting very quickly. First day,” he said.

Birthright Citizenship and Immigration Reforms
Trump also reiterated his commitment to ending automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S., a practice rooted in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. He argued that birthright citizenship needed to be changed and suggested that it may require a vote by the public.

“We’re going to have to get it changed,” Trump said. “Maybe we have to go back to the people. But we have to end it.”

Regarding undocumented immigrants, Trump said he would follow through on his campaign promise to deport those living in the U.S. illegally, even if they have U.S.-born children. “I don’t want to be breaking up families,” he explained. “So the only way you don’t break up the family is to keep them together and send them all back.”

Executive Orders and Policy Plans
Trump indicated that his first day in office would be busy, with several executive orders planned on issues such as immigration, energy, and the economy. However, he avoided committing to a justice department investigation into President Joe Biden, though he did suggest some political adversaries, including lawmakers involved in investigating the Capitol riot, should face imprisonment.

NATO and Foreign Policy
On the international front, Trump hinted that the U.S. could pull back from NATO unless member nations meet their financial obligations and treat the U.S. fairly. He stated, “If they’re paying their bills and treating us fairly, I’d absolutely stay with NATO.”

Trump also indicated that Ukraine could expect less U.S. aid under his administration, saying they should “probably” receive less support.

Healthcare and Social Security
Trump addressed healthcare and social security in the interview, stating that he would not impose restrictions on abortion pills, though he left room for change. He also reiterated that he would not cut Social Security or raise its eligibility age, though he said he would work to make the system “more efficient.”

Tariffs and Economic Policies
Regarding his economic agenda, Trump said that while he would push for tariffs on imports from major U.S. trading partners, he could not guarantee that it wouldn’t lead to higher consumer prices. “I can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee tomorrow,” he said.

Vaccine Controversy and Health Secretary Nominee
On health issues, Trump reignited a long-debunked theory about vaccines and autism. He suggested that his nominee for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, would investigate any potential link between childhood vaccines and autism, despite multiple global studies that have dismissed such a connection.

Trump’s First 100 Days
As Trump prepares for his return to the White House on January 20, 2025, his policy plans are set to reshape immigration, healthcare, and foreign policy. His promise to issue a flurry of executive orders reflects his commitment to enacting significant change on his first day in office.

Source

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