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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed two obstetrician-gynecologists to the CDC’s influential vaccine advisory panel on Tuesday, furthering his administration’s efforts to overhaul national immunization policy.
Dr. Adam Urato, a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine, and Dr. Kimberly Biss, who practices in St. Petersburg, Florida, will join the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a body that plays a pivotal role in determining federal vaccine recommendations.
Jim O’Neill, HHS deputy secretary and acting CDC director, framed the appointments as part of a broader initiative to align vaccine policies with scientific evidence. “President Trump asked us to bring the childhood immunization schedule in line with gold-standard science,” O’Neill said. “ACIP is doing just that. Our new ACIP members have the clinical expertise to make decisions driven by evidence, not dogma.”
The move represents the latest chapter in Kennedy’s controversial restructuring of federal health policy. In June, Kennedy dismissed all existing ACIP members, citing the need to restore public trust and eliminate conflicts of interest. He subsequently rebuilt the committee with appointees who share his perspective on vaccine safety and transparency.
Dr. Urato has previously voiced criticism of CDC guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women, arguing that safety assurances were issued prematurely, before sufficient data was available. His appointment has drawn mixed reactions from the medical community. Supporters view his inclusion as bringing necessary scrutiny to federal health recommendations, while critics warn it could undermine public confidence in established immunization practices.
The reconstituted ACIP has already made significant changes to longstanding vaccine recommendations. Earlier this year, under Kennedy’s direction, the CDC dramatically revised the childhood immunization schedule, reducing universally recommended vaccines from approximately 17 to 11.
Several previously standard immunizations — including those for influenza, rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, certain meningococcal vaccines, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — are no longer broadly recommended for all children. Instead, these vaccines now fall under shared decision-making protocols or are advised only for individuals considered at high risk for these diseases.
This shift represents a significant departure from decades of mainstream public health consensus on childhood immunizations. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical organizations have traditionally supported comprehensive vaccination schedules as essential public health measures that have dramatically reduced childhood mortality and morbidity from infectious diseases.
Kennedy’s appointment to lead HHS surprised many public health experts given his long history of vaccine skepticism. Since taking office, he has embraced the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, which emphasizes personal choice in healthcare decisions and scrutiny of established medical practices.
The changes to the vaccine panel come amid broader health policy shifts within the administration. Last week, officials unveiled new Dietary Guidelines that prioritize high-quality protein, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while discouraging consumption of highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates.
These nutrition recommendations align with Kennedy’s holistic approach to health, which emphasizes disease prevention through diet and lifestyle rather than pharmaceutical interventions alone.
The administration’s vaccine policy changes have prompted pushback from some quarters. Three West Coast governors recently formed a vaccine alliance in response to the federal shifts, signaling their intent to maintain stricter immunization requirements in their states regardless of changes at the federal level.
Public health experts remain divided on the potential consequences of these policy shifts. Proponents suggest the changes will foster greater transparency and patient autonomy in medical decision-making. Critics, however, warn that scaling back vaccine recommendations could lead to decreased immunization rates and potentially trigger resurgences of previously controlled infectious diseases.
As Kennedy continues to reshape federal health agencies, the impact of these changes on public health outcomes remains to be seen, with experts closely monitoring vaccination rates and disease prevalence in the coming years.
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16 Comments
The maternal health angle is an interesting addition, but I’m concerned about the potential politicization of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel. Maintaining impartiality and credibility should be the top priority.
Curious to see how the new ACIP members’ clinical expertise will shape future vaccine recommendations. Transparency will be key to ensuring the decisions are driven by the best available evidence.
Bringing in obstetricians to the ACIP could be a smart move, as maternal health is an important consideration for vaccine policy. However, the selection process and potential conflicts of interest will need close scrutiny.
It’s encouraging to hear the administration’s commitment to basing decisions on scientific evidence rather than dogma. Maintaining that principle will be crucial for the ACIP’s credibility.
The new obstetric appointments to the ACIP could be a positive move, as maternal health is a crucial consideration for vaccine policies. However, the restructuring process raises concerns about potential political motivations.
Restoring public confidence in the CDC’s vaccine recommendations is essential. The new ACIP members will need to demonstrate their commitment to evidence-based policymaking to achieve that goal.
Overhauling the ACIP committee is a bold step. While the new obstetric appointments could broaden the expertise, I hope the process remains transparent and the decisions are driven by objective data, not ideology.
Restoring public trust in vaccine policies is crucial. Let’s see if the new ACIP members can achieve that balance between scientific integrity and public confidence.
Restructuring the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel is a bold step. The addition of obstetric expertise could provide valuable insights, but the process must remain transparent and impartial to ensure public trust.
Aligning vaccine policies with the best available science is a noble goal, but the selection of ACIP members will be closely watched. Objective decision-making should be the top priority.
Overhauling the ACIP committee is a significant step. While the obstetric appointments could bring valuable clinical expertise, the process must remain transparent and the decisions must be driven by the best available scientific data.
Aligning vaccine policies with scientific evidence is a worthy aim, but the execution will be critical. The public deserves to have trust in the CDC’s immunization recommendations.
Interesting move by Kennedy to restructure the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee. Bringing in obstetricians could provide a valuable maternal health perspective, though some may see it as politically motivated. Curious to see how this affects future vaccine policy recommendations.
The goal of aligning policies with scientific evidence is commendable, but the selection process and potential conflicts of interest will likely face close scrutiny.
Restructuring the ACIP is a significant move. While the obstetric appointments could provide valuable insights, I hope the process remains objective and the decisions are made without undue influence.
Aligning vaccine policies with scientific evidence is a worthy goal, but the execution will be critical. The public deserves confidence in the CDC’s immunization recommendations.