RFK Jr. Announces Eight New Members of CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday named eight doctors and researchers, including four who have spoken out against vaccination in some way, to replace roughly half the members he fired from an expert panel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mr. Kennedy made the announcement Wednesday on the social media platform X, two days after he fired all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Arriving at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for a performance of “Les Misérables” that President Trump also attended, the health secretary told reporters that the firings were “a long time coming.”

Mr. Kennedy said on X that his picks included “highly credentialed scientists, leading public-health experts, and some of America’s most accomplished physicians.” In a post on X late Tuesday night, a day after he removed the panel members, Mr. Kennedy promised he would not appoint “ideological anti-vaxxers.”

After the new list was announced, infectious disease and vaccine experts immediately accused the health secretary of breaking his word. When Mr. Kennedy fired the entire committee, known as the A.C.I.P., he cited financial conflicts of interest and said a clean sweep was necessary to restore public trust in vaccination.

But a White House official and a person close to Mr. Kennedy said on Tuesday that ideology was also at work. In addition to supposed financial conflicts, Mr. Kennedy was concerned that all of the members had been appointed by former President Joseph R. Biden Jr., and that some had donated to Democrats. The disclosure was shocking to public health leaders, who say that scientific advisers are chosen for their expertise, without consideration of party affiliation.

“The biggest hit here is the irony of him, RFK, talking about regaining the public’s trust,” said Dr. Paul Offit of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who has served as a committee member and has frequently tangled with Mr. Kennedy.