CDC Excludes Medical Groups From Vaccine Advisory Roles

The CDC has excluded experts from major medical and public health organizations, including the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Infectious Diseases Society of America, from participating in the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) working groups. This follows Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s earlier dismissal of all 17 ACIP members and their replacement with individuals, some skeptical of vaccines. The CDC asserts the changes are intended to avoid influence from special interest groups, calling the excluded organizations biased. Medical associations and public health experts have condemned the move, warning it undermines trust in vaccines and removes crucial expertise. The exclusion has led to lawsuits from affected groups and drawn scrutiny from lawmakers, who have initiated investigations into Kennedy's restructuring of the advisory process. Experts caution that the move could damage the credibility and effectiveness of U.S. vaccine policy.