Kennedy Appoints Vaccine Skeptics to CDC Panel, Reigniting Public Debate

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has named eight new members to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), following the abrupt dismissal of all 17 prior members. The newly appointed panel includes several figures known for expressing skepticism about vaccines, particularly mRNA technology.

Among the new appointees is Robert Malone, a vocal critic of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and an ally of Kennedy’s "Make America Healthy Again" movement. Other members include Joseph Hibbeln, Martin Kulldorff, Retsef Levi, Cody Meissner, James Pagano, Vicky Pebsworth, and Michael Ross—some of whom have ties to prior CDC or FDA vaccine panels, while others have promoted views critical of current vaccination practices.

Kennedy, who has long challenged vaccine safety despite scientific consensus, claimed the former panel had conflicts of interest, although he did not provide specific evidence. He emphasized the reshuffle was meant to “restore public trust in vaccine science.”

The new ACIP members will participate in the committee’s June 25–27 meeting, where decisions are expected on vaccine recommendations for flu shots and the 2025–26 COVID-19 boosters. The meeting agenda has yet to be released.

The move sparked market reactions: Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) shares dipped slightly, while Novavax (NASDAQ:NVAX), which produces a non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, saw a marginal rise.

Concerns remain about the vetting process for the new members. Some, like Pebsworth and Meissner, have served on FDA advisory committees, while others, such as Levi and Kulldorff, have made controversial statements questioning mRNA vaccine safety.

Despite FDA confirmation that mRNA vaccines are safe and effective, Kennedy’s overhaul has intensified the national debate on vaccine policy and public health strategy.