HELP Committee Chairman Expresses “Serious Allegations” About New Advisory Panel Appointed by HHS Secretary Kennedy Jr.
In a public rebuke of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Senator Bill Cassidy, a key figure in Kennedy’s confirmation, issued a blistering statement Thursday urging physicians to disregard any forthcoming recommendations from a revamped vaccine advisory committee.
Cassidy, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, voiced “serious allegations” about the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), citing concerns with the committee’s membership, agenda, and “lack of scientific process.” The move follows Kennedy’s controversial decision in June to fire all 17 existing ACIP members and replace them with a new, smaller panel.
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The senator’s statement calls for the ACIP’s anticipated September 18th meeting to be postponed until “significant oversight has been conducted.” He added, “If the meeting proceeds, any recommendations made should be rejected as lacking legitimacy given the seriousness of the allegations and the current turmoil in CDC leadership.”
Cassidy’s pointed criticism marks a significant shift from his prior stance. The Louisiana Republican cast a deciding vote in favor of Kennedy’s confirmation to lead HHS, a vote he said was secured by a pledge from Kennedy not to alter the ACIP.
The ACIP is a panel of outside scientists that provides recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on routine vaccination schedules for children and adults. Its recommendations are highly influential, often determining which vaccines are covered by health insurance plans.
The senator’s statement did not specify the source of the “serious allegations,” but it comes on the heels of a public dispute between Kennedy and CDC Director Susan Monarez, who, according to media reports, was fired by the White House after refusing to implement directives she considered “unscientific.” Monarez’s lawyers have stated that she will not step down unless directed to do so by the president himself.
The resignation of other high-ranking CDC officials, including Demetre Daskalakis, the former Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases has further highlighted the turmoil. In a resignation letter posted to X, Daskalakis cited the ACIP overhaul and changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations as reasons for his departure, alleging the CDC was not informed of the committee’s “clean sweep” before Kennedy announced it on social media.
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The current ACIP roster, according to the CDC website, consists of just seven members, falling short of the 19 members allowed by its charter.
When Kennedy fired the previous members, he cited the need to eliminate industry ties and to replace appointees from the Trump administration. Critics, however, have accused Kennedy of stacking the committee with individuals who hold skeptical views on vaccines.
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