‘Clean sweep is needed’: RFK JR Fire Vaccine Advisory Board; AMA call ‘reduce trust’
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior announced on Monday that he had dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on the vaccination practices (ACIP), which are the major scientific groups advising the Disease Control and Prevention Center (CDC) on the use of the vaccine. Kennedy said that he would change them with his own nominees and plans to call the new committee in Atlanta in just two weeks.The decision strongly criticized the major medical organizations. The American Medical Association (AMA) described the move as reducing the trust and disrupting a transparent process that saved the lives of countless people. Dr. Bruce a. The Chairman of the Scott, AMA, warned that the action of Kennedy, in collaboration with the rate of vaccination, may increase the vaccine-pre-diseases.Executive Director of American Public Health Association, Dr. Georges Benjamin called mass dismissal “a coup” and said that it is “how democracy works.” He expressed concern over whether members of the new committee would be seen fairly, and accused Kennedy of breaking his promise to remove the existing panel.Kennedy, a former anti-vaccine activist replaced the Health Secretary, upheld the widespread change in the Wall Street Journal Opinion Peace. He claimed that there was a conflict with the interests of several committee members and argued that overhaul was necessary to restore public confidence in vaccine science. He wrote: “A clean sweep is required to re -establish public belief in vaccine science.” However, an NPR investigation found that the government’s report Kennedy had quoted the conflict of claims of his interests, there was no such problem.
What is acip?
ACIP is an important advisory body that determines the national vaccine policy, including the schedule for regular vaccinations for children and adults. Its members are independent experts who fully base their recommendations on scientific reviews. The CDC Director then approves these recommendations for official use.Kennedy also said that without removing the current members, the previous Trump administration could not appoint most new members until 2028. The Biden administration established the entire current panel, although the ACIP is a traditionally a non-Pakistani group.This shake-up follows other controversial actions since Kennedy assumed office. These include changing the recommendations of the Covid-19 vaccine without consulting the committee and cancellation of vaccine research programs for the purpose of future epidemic. Acip’s webpage listing members were removed immediately after the announcement.Despite Kennedy’s assurance that the new members will prioritize “public health and evidence-based medical” and will no longer serve as a rubber stamp for industry profitable agenda “, public health experts are deeply concerned about this overhaul’s impact on the vaccine policy and public trust.
