Media: https://media1.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTcyYTQ4YTRmcWMyanFsNWhzd24yNTJ2cWQ0OTJtZmh5bTg1am50N3llYnhmaW5rcyZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/FpLn9tPOi9h3WUhdGX/giphy.gifTitle: A New Era of Vaccine Policy Scrutiny Begins with RFK Jr.’s Panel
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which plays a crucial role in shaping vaccine policy in the United States, has announced its plans to scrutinize the safety and effectiveness of the childhood vaccination schedule. This move comes after Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr. replaced all 17 members of the existing panel with his own selection, including individuals who have been known for promoting misleading information about COVID-19 vaccines.
The ACIP’s two-day meeting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta marks a significant shift in vaccine policy scrutiny. The committee of independent experts offers recommendations to the CDC on the nation’s vaccine schedule and immunization policies, making their newfound focus on evaluating the cumulative effects of recommended vaccines an important development.
The decision to reevaluate the childhood vaccination schedule reflects longstanding concerns held by Kennedy Jr., who has been critical of federal health institutions in recent times. In a bid to “rebuild public trust” in these organizations, Martin Kulldorff, now serving as ACIP chair and an epidemiologist formerly at Harvard Medical School, called for the establishment of a new workgroup that will study and evaluate the interaction effects between different vaccines, the total number of vaccines administered, cumulative amounts of vaccine ingredients, and the relative timing of these injections.
This development signals a potential shift in how we approach vaccine policy in the United States. While it remains to be seen what implications this new scrutiny will have on current practices, one thing is certain: public trust in federal health institutions has been severely damaged by recent events surrounding COVID-19 vaccines and mandates. By taking steps towards reevaluating existing policies and addressing longstanding concerns, the ACIP aims to restore that trust while ensuring the safety of future vaccine schedules for children.
As we move forward into this new era of vaccine policy scrutiny, it is crucial that we remain informed about these developments and engage in open dialogue regarding their potential impact on public health. Only by working together can we ensure that our vaccination policies are both effective and trusted by the communities they serve.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/06/25/nx-s1-5445254/cdc-review-vaccine-schedule-children) #panel
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