RFK Jr. reshapes CDC advisory panels and public messaging, prompting contested vaccine votes and warnings about declining uptake
As HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reshaped CDC advisory panels—removing longtime experts and installing new ACIP members—this September’s unusually contentious meeting produced a rollback of the MMRV combo for children under 4 in favor of separate MMR and varicella doses, moved COVID-19 recommendations toward shared or individualized decision‑making with added risk language, and tabled a proposed change to the newborn hepatitis B dose. Critics, including ousted CDC director Susan Monarez and public‑health experts, have decried the process as rushed and politically driven, warning that altered guidance and messaging could reduce vaccine uptake and affect coverage through programs like Medicaid/CHIP, while noting all ACIP votes still require CDC director approval.
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📰 Sources (15)
12 ways RFK Jr. has undercut vaccine confidence as health secretary
New information:
- Kennedy purged more than a dozen ACIP experts in June 2025 and installed a new advisory panel that met in September 2025 to discuss vaccine recommendations.
- The administration repeated, days after the September meetings, the claim (presented without evidence) that vaccines contributed to autism, a thoroughly debunked theory.
- Former CDC director Susan Monarez testified she was ousted and warned that Kennedy’s actions could lead to more deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases; the article includes her warning and context about protests after her firing.
- Direct quotes from Michael Osterholm expressing concern that administration misinformation will reduce vaccination uptake.
Should kids get flu and COVID shots this fall? Here's what to know amid changes.
New information:
- Specific medical societies and state coalitions publicly urging broader pediatric COVID vaccination: AAP 'strongly recommending' shots for ages 6 months–2 years and advising shots for older children at parents' discretion.
- Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommends COVID vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older (explicit professional-society endorsement).
- A four‑governor West Coast Health Alliance (CA, OR, WA, HI) and a Northeast Public Health Collaborative (including New York and neighbors) have issued state-level guidance urging vaccination for specific age groups, diverging from CDC's 'may receive' language.
How RFK Jr.’s hand-picked CDC advisory panel voted on COVID vaccines and more
New information:
- PBS reports ACIP chair Martin Kulldorff opened the meeting challenging claims the panel is anti‑vaccine and invited former CDC directors to a public debate on vaccine science.
- Adds on-record defense from ACIP member Dr. Joseph Hibbeln stating the committee did not enter with pre‑determined attitudes and is "not... anti‑vaxxers."
- Notes some ACIP members were appointed as recently as this week, underscoring the extent and recency of the panel’s reshuffle by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Includes outside expert reactions: APHA’s Dr. Georges Benjamin described the committee’s performance as "sloppy," and Brown University’s Jennifer Nuzzo criticized reliance on anecdotes over epidemiologic evidence.
- States a planned vote on the hepatitis B vaccine was tabled during the meeting (process context to the final outcome).
CDC panel supports 'individual decision-making' on COVID vaccines, keeps access open
New information:
- ACIP voted 11–1 to strengthen informed-consent materials by adding language on 'risks and uncertainties' for COVID vaccines.
- ACIP voted 12–0 to update adult and pediatric immunization schedules to reflect individualized (shared) decision-making for COVID vaccines.
- Article specifies that shared decision-making keeps COVID shots accessible through Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP and private insurance.
- CDC stated risk–benefit is most favorable under age 65 for those at higher risk and lowest for those not at increased risk.
- Direct on‑record quotes from Dr. Retsef Levi (arguing for prescriptions), Dr. Cody Meissner (opposing Rx requirement), and Dr. Henry Bernstein (warning access limits would undermine trust).
Key takeaways from the CDC vaccine advisory panel's votes this week
New information:
- CBS reports ACIP framed COVID-19 vaccination as shared clinical decision-making for adults 65+ and for ages 6 months–64, declining a universal recommendation and emphasizing higher benefit for those at increased risk.
- ACIP unanimously voted to recommend hepatitis B testing for all pregnant women (new detail not in prior summaries).
- Members approved updating CDC language on potential COVID-19 vaccine risks and recommended clinicians communicate risks on an individual basis.
- Reiterates the close prescription requirement vote: a 6–6 split with the chair voting no (tie-breaking detail).
- Adds clinical rationale for the MMRV change: elevated febrile seizure risk window (14–18 months) for first dose in young toddlers; no elevated risk when used as the second dose at ages 4–6.
CDC advisers vote to add new COVID vaccines rules that could discourage uptake
New information:
- ACIP voted to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for adults 65+ and to use shared decision-making for adults under 65 rather than a universal recommendation.
- A proposal to require a prescription for COVID-19 vaccination failed on a tie vote after ACIP chair Martin Kulldorff voted no to break the tie.
- ACIP recommended adding language about possible risks and uncertainties regarding COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness to CDC information sheets.
- NPR details a chaotic meeting with process concerns raised by clinicians, including an AMA statement criticizing selective use of data.
- Recommendations are not final until acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill signs them.
'We are rookies': Day 2 of CDC vaccine meeting opens with a reversal and a surprise
New information:
- ACIP voted 11–1 to postpone indefinitely any change to the recommendation for a hepatitis B vaccine at birth; Chair Martin Kulldorff dissented.
- ACIP reversed its prior-day vote and decided the Vaccines for Children program should not cover the combined MMRV shot for children under 4.
- Chair Martin Kulldorff acknowledged members are largely new and said a redo was needed due to confusing wording; RFK Jr. recently replaced the panel and added five members this week.
- ACIP member Robert Malone moved to postpone the hepatitis B question, calling a vote 'premature.'
- Any ACIP votes still require approval by acting CDC director Jim O'Neill.
CDC panel votes to change vaccine schedule for children
New information:
- American Academy of Pediatrics opposes the change, arguing seizure risks are rare and accusing the panel of spreading misinformation.
- Supporters frame the change as reducing the risk of fever-related (febrile) seizures.
Kirk's death fuels free speech disputes. And, vaccine panel changes MMRV guidance
New information:
- NPR notes the change could affect coverage, with the MMRV combo potentially no longer covered by Medicaid/CHIP for under‑4s.
- Reports the meeting has been unusual, with the 12 new members closely re‑examining legacy data seeking evidence of harm.
- Confirms the votes still require final approval from the CDC director and that Hepatitis B and COVID recommendations are slated for votes today.
CDC's vaccine advisory panel changes recommendation on combined MMRV shot
New information:
- ACIP voted to shift guidance for children under 4 away from the combined MMRV vaccine.
- The panel now recommends administering MMR and varicella as separate vaccines for this age group.
- This is a formal recommendation change emerging from the Sept. 18–19 ACIP meeting.
CDC's new advisers debate changing guidance on childhood vaccines
New information:
- ACIP opened with a debate on the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) combo shot for children under 4, focusing on CDC staff data showing a slight increase in febrile seizure risk in 12–23‑month‑olds versus separate MMR and varicella shots.
- ACIP member Retsef Levi favored the safer option given the seizure risk, while member/pediatrician Cody Meissner argued febrile seizures are generally benign and warned removing the option could reduce vaccination uptake.
- American College of Physicians president and ACIP liaison Dr. Jason Goldman urged against changing recommendations to preserve parental choice and avoid confusion and coverage issues.
- ACIP chair Martin Kulldorff publicly rebuked critics (including former CDC directors), denied the panel is anti‑vaccine, and challenged them to an open public debate.
- Report notes five new ACIP members were added this week by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and this is the second ACIP meeting since he replaced the prior panel.
What's at stake in CDC vaccine panel's meeting this week
New information:
- CBS reports the precise voting language for ACIP items has not been shared with CDC staff or made public ahead of the meeting.
- Agenda framing: ACIP is expected to vote on the combined MMRV vaccine, the universal newborn hepatitis B dose, and COVID-19 vaccine eligibility.
- Internal perspective: A longtime CDC staffer says the meeting feels like 'putting science on trial' and 'about criticizing the data.'
- Jim O’Neill’s internal email to CDC staff (obtained by CBS) emphasizes 'rigorous science,' 'transparency,' and that 'not every health decision is the government’s business,' aiming to rebuild public trust.
- CBS highlights potential downstream impacts on vaccine access via Medicaid and Medicare depending on how ACIP recommendations are set.
WATCH LIVE: Former CDC head Monarez testifies on agency upheaval under RFK Jr.
New information:
- AP-sourced prepared testimony details Monarez’s claim that RFK Jr. sought preapproval of ACIP recommendations and ordered firings.
- Hearing timing (Sept. 17, 10 a.m. EDT) and additional witness (Debra Houry) specified.
- Confirms ACIP will discuss COVID‑19, hepatitis B and varicella, with some members questioning the newborn hepatitis B dose.
Ousted CDC director to warn of "real risk" for vaccines for children if panel meets
New information:
- Confirms ACIP meets Thursday–Friday and will consider multiple vaccine recommendations (Hep B, RSV, MMRV).
- Introduces Monarez’s warning to the Senate that proceeding with the meeting poses a 'real risk' of limiting vaccines for children.
- Details Monarez’s claim that she was pressured by RFK Jr. to pre-approve ACIP recommendations and fire career scientists, which she refused.
Kennedy's vaccine panel expected to recommend delaying hepatitis B shot in children
New information:
- Meeting: ACIP convenes Sept. 18–19, 2025 at a CDC office in Atlanta.
- Proposal: Sources say the panel is expected to vote on delaying hepatitis B vaccination until age 4, replacing the birth dose in place for 30+ years.
- Context: Childhood hepatitis B cases fell 99% (1990–2022) under the birth‑dose policy; pediatricians and former CDC officials flag lack of usual work‑group process ahead of the meeting.
- Officials: Demetre Daskalakis describes effort to 'dislodge' the birth dose; HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon says recommendations will be guided by 'gold standard science.'
- Additional items: ACIP will also discuss MMRV and COVID vaccine recommendations; draft agenda was released Sunday.