In a dramatic shake-up of the nation’s vaccine policy leadership, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired all 17 members of the national vaccine advisory committee and swiftly replaced them with a new slate of eight scientists, doctors, and public health professionals.
Kennedy made the announcement via X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, framing the move as a bold step to rebuild confidence in vaccine safety and transparency.
“I retired the 17 current members of the committee,” Kennedy wrote. “I’m now repopulating ACIP with the eight new members who will attend ACIP’s scheduled June 25 meeting. The slate includes highly credentialed scientists, leading public-health experts, and some of America’s most accomplished physicians. All of these individuals are committed to evidence-based medicine, gold-standard science, and common sense.”
The new members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) include some controversial but credentialed names: Dr. Joseph R. Hibbeln, Dr. Martin Kulldorff, Dr. Retsef Levi, Dr. Robert W. Malone, Dr. Cody Meissner, Dr. James Pagano, Dr. Vicky Pebsworth, and Dr. Michael A. Ross.
Kennedy said each of them has “committed to demanding definitive safety and efficacy data before making any new vaccine recommendations.”
Controversial Appointments and a Shift in Tone
The appointment of Martin Kulldorff immediately raised eyebrows. A former Harvard Medical School epidemiologist, Kulldorff co-authored the 2020 Great Barrington Declaration, a document that called for lifting COVID-19 lockdowns and instead promoting “focused protection” for vulnerable populations.
The declaration, co-signed with Oxford’s Dr. Sunetra Gupta and Stanford’s Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, drew fierce criticism from mainstream health authorities including the World Health Organization and Dr. Anthony Fauci.
RFK Jr.: “Not Anti-Vaxxers — Just the Best People”
Kennedy, a longtime vaccine safety critic now in a position of national influence, addressed concerns that the panel could become a platform for anti-vaccine ideology.
“We’re going to bring great people onto the ACIP panel – not anti-vaxxers – bringing people on who are credentialed scientists,” he said Tuesday, ahead of the official announcement.
The panel’s June 25 meeting, its first under the new lineup is expected to vote on vaccine guidelines for flu, COVID-19, HPV, RSV, and meningococcal bacteria, although a final agenda has yet to be released.
Who Are the New Faces on ACIP?
Dr. Joseph R. Hibbeln
A psychiatrist and neuroscientist with a history of federal service, Hibbeln previously served as Acting Chief of the Section on Nutritional Neurosciences at the NIH.
“His work has informed U.S. public health guidelines, particularly in maternal and child health,” Kennedy noted, highlighting his 120+ peer-reviewed publications and background in immune regulation and psychiatric health.
Dr. Martin Kulldorff
Kennedy called Kulldorff a “leading expert in vaccine safety and infectious disease surveillance,” citing his service on FDA and CDC advisory boards and development of statistical tools to detect outbreaks and vaccine side effects.
Dr. Retsef Levi
A professor at MIT’s Sloan School, Levi has co-authored studies scrutinizing mRNA vaccines and cardiovascular risks.
“His research has contributed to discussions on vaccine manufacturing processes, safety surveillance, and public health policy,” Kennedy said.
Dr. Robert W. Malone
Known for his foundational work in mRNA delivery technology in the 1980s, Malone brings a background in molecular biology, immunology, and vaccine development. His role in vaccine discourse surged during the pandemic.
Dr. Cody Meissner
A pediatric infectious disease specialist and Dartmouth professor, Meissner has shaped national vaccine guidelines as a member of both the CDC and FDA vaccine advisory groups.
“He has contributed to national immunization guidelines and regulatory decisions,” Kennedy wrote, noting his role in drafting pediatric vaccine schedules for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. James Pagano
With over 40 years of clinical experience, Pagano has worked in emergency rooms across the country.
“He is [a] strong advocate for evidence-based medicine,” Kennedy said, citing his long service in hospital executive roles and medical committees.
Dr. Vicky Pebsworth
A veteran nurse and public health expert with decades of experience, Pebsworth brings deep roots in vaccine safety policy and bioethics. She’s held past roles with the FDA, CDC, and National Vaccine Advisory Committee.
Dr. Michael A. Ross
An OB-GYN professor affiliated with both George Washington University and Virginia Commonwealth, Ross has led initiatives in women’s health and HPV immunization.
“His continued service on biotech and healthcare boards reflects his commitment to advancing innovation in immunology, reproductive medicine, and public health,” Kennedy said.
Looking Ahead: High Stakes and High Expectations
With the next ACIP meeting just days away, all eyes are now on Kennedy’s newly installed team. The committee, founded in 1964, plays a crucial role in guiding CDC vaccine recommendations and national immunization schedules.
Under Kennedy’s leadership, ACIP may take a more aggressive approach to transparency and data scrutiny, particularly in reviewing ongoing concerns about newer vaccines, including those for COVID-19.
But one thing is clear: this is no minor personnel shuffle. It’s a top-down overhaul, led by a health secretary with a controversial history and a bold new direction.
