
'Clean sweep needed': RFK Jr fires vaccine advisory board; AMA calls move 'undermining trust'
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Monday that he had dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the key scientific group advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine use.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Kennedy said he would replace them with his own nominees and planned to convene the new committee in just two weeks in Atlanta.
The decision sparked sharp criticism from major medical organisations. The American Medical Association (AMA) described the move as undermining trust and disrupting a transparent process that has saved countless lives. Dr. Bruce A. Scott, AMA president, warned that Kennedy's action, coupled with falling vaccination rates, could lead to an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases.
Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, called the mass dismissal "a coup" and said it was 'not how democracies work.' He added the decision raised concerns about whether the new committee members would be seen as impartial, and accused Kennedy of breaking his promise not to remove the existing panel.
Kennedy, a former anti-vaccine activist turned health secretary, justified the sweeping change in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece.
He claimed that many committee members had conflicts of interest and argued that the overhaul was necessary to restore public confidence in vaccine science. He wrote: 'A clean sweep is needed to re-establish public confidence in vaccine science.' However, an NPR investigation found that the government report Kennedy cited to support his conflict of interest claims showed no such issues.
What is the ACIP?
The ACIP is a crucial advisory body that sets national vaccine policy, including schedules for routine immunisations for children and adults.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Its members are independent experts who base their recommendations on thorough scientific review. The CDC director then approves these recommendations for official use.
Kennedy also noted that without removing the current members, the previous Trump administration would not have been able to appoint a majority of new members until 2028. The Biden administration had installed the entire current panel, though ACIP is traditionally a non-partisan group.
This shake-up follows other controversial actions by Kennedy since taking office. These include changing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations without consulting the committee and cancelling vaccine research programmes aimed at future pandemics. The ACIP's webpage listing members was removed shortly after the announcement.
Despite Kennedy's assurance that new members would prioritise 'public health and evidence-based medicine' and no longer serve as 'a rubber stamp for industry profit-taking agendas,' public health experts remain deeply concerned about the impact of this overhaul on vaccine policy and public trust.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Covid-19: Administration on high alert; screening teams yet to be deployed at international entry points in Amritsar
AMRITSAR: Although no suspected COVID-19 cases were reported in the holy city—despite its regular influx of international travellers—the administration is yet to decide to deploy dedicated COVID inspection teams at both Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport and the Attari International Border to monitor and identify any potential cases. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While maintaining that the administration remains on high alert in light of the COVID-19 situation, Civil Surgeon Dr Kirandeep Kaur said that no advisory was received from either the state or central government regarding the deployment of dedicated medical teams for the screening of international travellers for COVID-19 at ports of entry. According to the COVID-19 Statewide Status of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, there were 33 COVID-19 active cases in Punjab as of June 11, while the neighbouring Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir had 2 and 9 active cases, respectively. Dr Ameesha Mahajan of Eden Skin Clinic said that COVID-19 cases are once again on the rise but emphasised that there is no cause for panic. "The new variants have not been declared Variants of Concern by the WHO," she said, adding that lessons from past experience show that simple precautions—such as hand hygiene, masking in crowded places, and staying up to date with vaccinations—continue to be highly effective. "Vaccines remain our strongest shield against severe disease," Ameesha affirmed. Dr Kirandeep Kaur informed that the Health Department set up isolated wards at the Government Medical College (GMC) , Civil Hospital, and other government facilities, with 300 beds earmarked for COVID-19 patients at GMC alone, in preparation for any emergency. She added that once an advisory is received from either the state or central government, dedicated medical teams will also be deployed at the international airport and the Attari land port.


India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Who Is Bobby Mukkamala? Indian-Origin Doctor Makes History As AMA President, Credits Parents
In a landmark moment, Indian-origin doctor Dr. Bobby Mukkamala was sworn in as the AMA's 180th president on June 11, 2025, becoming the first Indian-American to head the powerful group. Mukkamala, who has just recovered from surgery for an 8-cm brain tumor, attributed his success to his immigrant parents and his upbringing in Flint, Michigan, during an emotional inaugural speech. Historic Appointment And Personal Success "When I was recovering from brain surgery at the Mayo Clinic, this recognition was a far cry," Mukkamala said in his address to AMA members, recalling his recovery from a potentially lethal condition. The Flint-based ENT specialist, who was born to Indian immigrant physicians Apparao and Sumathi Mukkamala, was very clear about highlighting his parents' sacrifices. 'I stand here on the shoulders of my parents, who believed America offered opportunities not possible in India,' he said. Mukkamala, who earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan and completed residency at Loyola University in Chicago, practices alongside his wife, Dr. Nita Kulkarni, an obstetrician-gynecologist. They have two sons, Nikhil, a biomedical engineer, and Deven, a PhD candidate in political science. Please join us in celebrating the inauguration of Bobby Mukkamala, MD, the 180th president of #OurAMA. Dr. Mukkamala is an accomplished otolaryngologist based in Flint, Michigan, with over two decades of dynamic leadership in organized medicine and public health. He is also the… — AMA (@AmerMedicalAssn) June 11, 2025 Advocacy And Public Service Mukkamala has been a leading AMA voice, serving as chair of the Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force to address the overdose epidemic through evidence-based policy. Public service includes leading the Community Foundation of Greater Flint through the city's water crisis to address mitigating lead exposure in children. In his remarks, he emphasized health disparities in under-served communities such as Flint, where life expectancy is almost six years lower than the national standard, according to CDC statistics. "My wife and I have seen these disparities up close," he said, citing the increasing shortage of physicians and economic pressures driving doctors out of private practice. Vision For Healthcare Reform Mukkamala urged prompt reforms to eliminate gaps in the US healthcare system. Struggling for proper health coverage and a sustainable, equitable model of healthcare is vital," he urged, cautioning that patients are prevented from seeing them as physicians wrestle. He recounted a patient's devotion after surgery, waiting six weeks for his return, in order to emphasise trust in physicians. As AMA president, Mukkamala will seek to promote accessible, affordable care and greater government funding for research and for public health. "Our patients, physicians, and country deserve better," he stated. Public and Social Media Reaction The nomination has widely resonated, with X users such as @HealthEquityNow commending Mukkamala's emphasis on underserved communities. His background of perseverance and immigrant achievement has lifted many, with tweets referring to him as a "trailblazer for Indian Americans." As he starts his term, Mukkamala's leadership is set to influence U.S. healthcare policy under urgent challenges.


News18
an hour ago
- News18
Srinivas Mukkamala Appointed As First Indian-Origin President Of American Medical Association
Last Updated: Mukkamala has long advocated within the AMA, leading the Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force and developing evidence-based policies to address the overdose crisis. Srinivas Mukkamala became the American Medical Association's president, marking a historic milestone as the organisation's first leader of Indian origin in its 178-year history. He is the first physician of Indian heritage to lead the influential organisation. Mukkamala's appointment follows just months after he had surgery to remove an 8-cm brain tumour. He recalled, 'As I lay in recovery from brain surgery at the Mayo Clinic, with tubes and wires monitoring my every movement, this night — this honour — this opportunity to improve health care seemed a very distant dream." Mukkamala emphasised the need for US healthcare reform, stating, 'There are tremendous gaps in our health care system that require our attention." 'That's why continuing to fight for adequate health coverage for our patients is so important… and why fighting for a sustainable, equitable health care model is so important," he added. Please join us in celebrating the inauguration of Bobby Mukkamala, MD, the 180th president of #OurAMA. Dr. Mukkamala is an accomplished otolaryngologist based in Flint, Michigan, with over two decades of dynamic leadership in organized medicine and public health. He is also the… — AMA (@AmerMedicalAssn) June 11, 2025 Mukkamala has long advocated within the AMA, leading the Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force and developing evidence-based policies to address the overdose crisis. Mukkamala completed his medical degree at the University of Michigan and residency at Loyola University in Chicago and returned to Flint to practise medicine alongside his wife, Nita Kulkarni, an obstetrician-gynaecologist. The couple have two sons, Nikhil, a biomedical engineer, and Deven, a PhD candidate in political science. As AMA president, Mukkamala spotlighted growing health disparities in cities like Flint, noting, 'Life expectancy in Flint is about 12 years shorter than its suburbs," he said, adding that he and his wife have witnessed those disparities firsthand through their work. As president, Mukkamala plans to continue advocating for accessible, affordable care and greater government investment in research and public health. 'Our patients deserve better. Our physicians deserve better. Our nation deserves better," he said. The AMA has introduced a policy to raise public awareness about the differences between unhealthy ultraprocessed foods and nutritious foods, highlighting the benefits of minimally processed and whole foods. The policy also advocates for incorporating nutrition education into medical training, enabling doctors to better advise patients on reducing consumption of unhealthy ultraprocessed foods. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 12, 2025, 07:39 IST