Undermining Immunizations from the Inside Out
The integrity of U.S. vaccine policy is under attack, and the consequences could last for generations.
I’m David Higgins, a practicing pediatrician and preventive medicine physician who cares for children, adolescents, and their families and studies how to improve how we communicate about and deliver preventive care and vaccines. This newsletter shares clear science, smart policy, and meaningful conversations, because the health of our communities depends on all three. If you haven’t already, hit the button below to stay in the loop with updates.
Hi community,
The Secretary of HHS, RFK Jr., took a wrecking ball to the ACIP this week, and the consequences could last for generations. I don’t raise alarms lightly, but this is dangerous. It poses a direct threat to public health. If there was any lingering doubt, let it be clear: the fox is in the henhouse.
As most of my Community Immunity readers already know, earlier this week, RFK Jr. fired all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP); a move I analyzed with colleagues at
here:
The following day, he tried to justify the decision in a lengthy and confusing tweet riddled with misinformation and flawed interpretations of scientific data. I am helping to break down those claims with experts and will publish them soon, but it takes a lot of work! This is called Brandolini's law: The amount of energy needed to refute falsehoods is an order of magnitude bigger than that required to produce it.
While experts raced to fact-check his misleading claims, the Secretary was already making his next move: a unilateral replacement with eight new members to the committee, bypassing the usual vetting and nomination process.
He also removed career CDC officials responsible for reviewing nominees’ scientific qualifications and conflicts of interest. Reports out today (6/13) suggest that the CDC staff who provide data to the ACIP have been sidelined, replaced by a political appointee, and it’s unclear what evidence the new members will be using to make decisions. These eight new appointees are expected to attend the next ACIP meeting in two weeks and will reportedly “review the safety and efficacy data for the current schedule.”
That last piece is especially alarming. It suggests an intent not just to shift future recommendations, but to destabilize the entire foundation of evidence-based immunization policy in the U.S.
When the announcement about new appointees dropped, my phone lit up with texts and posts, many based on first impressions. Since then, some moderate takes have been revised as people look more closely.
What first appeared to some people to be a mixed group of appointees quickly reveals, on closer inspection, deeply troubling patterns across the board.
The new appointees reveal three major concerns:
Lack of Relevant Expertise
Several appointees have no background in immunology, vaccine science, public health, or anything that would typically qualify someone to help shape national vaccine policy. If you’d shown me this list six months ago, I would’ve assumed it was satire.
How low has the bar gone?
ACIP decisions are complex. They require deep, specific expertise in epidemiology, vaccinology, immunology, and health systems. Having an MD or PhD or being a “respected researcher” isn’t enough.
Expertise also has to match the task. I may be a “respected researcher,” but you wouldn’t want me advising the Nuclear Energy Advisory Committee either.
Active Promotion of Misinformation
Even more concerning than their lack of expertise? Many have actively promoted anti-vaccine misinformation or openly anti-vaccine views, and profited from doing so. Their backgrounds have been well-documented in media reports, and I’ll let journalists continue to follow those threads. Some are affiliated with organizations that actively spread vaccine misinformation, including RFK Jr.’s own Children’s Health Defense.
Deeper Conflicts of Interest
The hypocrisy is staggering: RFK Jr. fired the committee over “conflicts of interest,” yet his new appointees have far deeper conflicts, many profiting greatly from anti-vaccine litigation, working for pharmaceutical companies, or consulting for groups opposed to vaccines.
One appointee, who does have prior ACIP and FDA experience, disclosed more conflicts of interest during his previous term than any of the 17 members just removed. While qualified to have served in the past, reappointing someone for a second term breaks with ACIP norms, and this pick is especially ironic, given the justification for the committee’s purge just days ago.
I don’t see it as my role to critique each appointee; others are doing that. I also believe in holding people accountable for their actions and policy decisions, not launching personal attacks. But transparency and scrutiny are essential, especially when the health of millions is on the line.
The more I learn, the more these appointments appear not just unqualified, but strategically chosen to dismantle the integrity of the vaccine advisory process. And frankly, under any normal process, it’s hard to imagine a single one of these individuals being selected to serve on the ACIP.
My concerns aren’t that these actions are “unprecedented” (an often overused word) or unconventional. Bold, unconventional moves can sometimes bring fresh perspectives, and I welcome that when done responsibly. But let me be clear: this is not just a break from tradition; it’s reckless and dangerously undermines public health.
Despite the Secretary's claims, these dangerous actions undermine public trust in vaccine guidance and threaten the integrity of science-based policymaking.
I’ll leave you with a statement from Dr. Susan Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which captures the stakes:
“We are witnessing an escalating effort by the Administration to silence independent medical expertise and stoke distrust in lifesaving vaccines. Creating confusion around proven vaccines endangers families' health and contributes to the spread of preventable diseases. This move undermines the trust pediatricians have built over decades with our patients and leaves us without critical scientific expertise we rely on.
Children and families must be able to access the immunizations they need to stay healthy. Our vaccine infrastructure must include this critical step of nonpartisan, expert review and discussion of the science and clinical recommendations for individual vaccines. Families and children will be the ones to pay the price for this decision.”
These dangerous actions have consequences that will harm not just today’s communities, but generations to come.
Thanks, as always, for being part of this community. I know there’s a lot going on, so I’ll keep tracking the headlines that matter and unpacking what they mean so you don’t have to.
-David
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Community Immunity is a newsletter dedicated to vaccines, policy, and public health, offering clear science and meaningful conversations for health professionals, science communicators, policymakers, and anyone who wants to stay informed. This newsletter is free for everyone, and I want it to be a conversation, not just a broadcast. And if you find this valuable, please help spread the word!