HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accused the members of lacking transparency in their vaccine recommendations|Gage Skidmore|CC BY-SA 2.0

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, calling the group conflicted and lacking transparency.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has guided US vaccination policies for over 60 years.

Kennedy accused the members of lacking transparency in their vaccine recommendations. He also said they were rushed Biden-era appointees and removing them allows the Trump administration to appoint new ones.

Critics say the firings are politically motivated and damage public health. Former CDC officials and medical leaders condemned the decision, warning it will fuel distrust and confusion amid declining childhood vaccination rates and current outbreaks.

Despite the shake-up, the CDC’s vaccine meeting will proceed later this month, though experts worry new panelists won’t be properly vetted.