We Have 3 Days to Stop RFK Jr.’s Latest Assault on Health

This piece is authored by Pari & Eve, MPH, founders of Repro Ready, a community for health activists. Join us in subscribing to their work which breaks down public health policy, debunks anti-science myths, and equips you with clear, tangible ways to fight for reproductive health and gender rights.

While America was distracted - with protesting the king, watching a manhunt unfold in Minnesota, and bracing for possible war with Iran - RFK Jr. was quietly gutting the CDC’s independent vaccine advisory committee. He fired all 17 members behind closed doors, and he's already begun replacing them with known anti-vaxxers. Let’s dive in...

In a move that barely made headlines last week, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Jr. dismantled one of the most trusted public health bodies in the country. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) - made up of pediatricians, immunologists, and public health experts - has shaped the U.S. vaccine schedule for decades. It’s the group your doctor relies on when recommending shots for your kids, your pregnancy, or yourself.

The original ACIP was known for rigorous review processes, transparent decision-making, and some of the strongest conflict-of-interest policies in government. They made decisions based on data, not politics. But with RFK Jr. now in charge, that structure has collapsed and it’s taking other virus experts along with it. With no one at the helm of this advisory group now, RFK Jr. himself is bulldozing national vaccine guidance. Last week, without any expert input, he updated the national vaccine schedule - the first time this has happened in modern U.S. history without an oversight group.

With only a few weeks to fill the committee’s vacant seats, there’s no meaningful way to properly vet the new members or assess their qualifications. Naturally, this is how he has managed to already nominate eight new members to ACIP, many of whom have documented histories of spreading misinformation about vaccines. These are not neutral public health professionals. These are professional anti-vaxxers who have questioned the safety of childhood immunizations, denied the science behind COVID-19 vaccines, and undermined public health institutions for years.

This is alarming because it harms the already degrading trust in America’s public health institutions; not only from patients but now also from providers! This is all happening as routine childhood vaccination rates are already slipping and preventable infectious disease outbreaks, like measles, continue to rise.

We have to admit, this is painful. As public health experts who’ve both spent years of our careers at CDC, we can honestly tell you, this is the federal government giving scientific power to people who actively reject science. And it’s going to harm the most vulnerable communities first, especially families who already face barriers to healthcare, trust gaps, and systemic neglect.

When Republicans start rewriting health policy based on ideology instead of evidence, it hurts the most vulnerable Americans first. Not that they give a shit about Americans anyway. Luckily, Republicans alone don’t have the last word. We, Americans, do and there’s an opportunity in just a few days to have our voices heard.

How This Affects You

• Vaccine guidance may become inconsistent. Doctors and counties might no longer rely on CDC recommendations, leading to unequal vaccine access and coverage.

• Scientific trust is at stake. When experts are sidelined, people lose faith in vaccine safety, raising the chance of outbreaks.

• Low‑vaccine communities bear the brunt. Rural, low-income, and minority areas will be most affected by unclear guidance.

• Precedent for science being pushed aside. Who’s to say future panels on maternal health or gender-affirming care won’t face similar political takeovers?

What You Can Do

• Submit to make a public comment at the next ACIP meeting by 11:59 p.m., EDT, June 20, 2025. There is protected time during the upcoming June 25-27 virtual ACIP meeting for public comment on those nominated to ACIP. Submit your comment (written or oral) TODAY and voice your concern around RFK Jr.’s anti-vaxx nominations. Comment below if you want help crafting language for your submission.

• Talk to your provider. Ask how these changes will affect your and your family’s vaccine care.

• Reach out to local health authorities. Find out if your public health department will continue following pre‑June 2025 ACIP guidelines.

• Share reputable information. Link to resources like AAP, Immunize.org, and CHOP’s Vaccine Education Center.

• Monitor RFK Jr.’s appointees. Learn who was appointed and share their public views so others understand the shift.

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