RFK Jr.'s Anti-Vaccine Advisors Revamp Childhood Vaccine Schedule

RFK Jr.'s Anti-Vaccine Advisors Axe MMRV Recommendation A panel of vaccine advisors hand-selected by anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. voted to change the federal vaccine recommendations for children, removing safe, well-established vaccine doses from current schedules and realizing Kennedy's anti-vaccine agenda to erode federal vaccine policy and sow distrust. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted on Thursday to remove the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's previous recommendation for use of a measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox) MMRV combination vaccine for children under 4 years old. This decision was made despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. According to sources, Kennedy fired all 17 highly qualified, highly vetted members of ACIP in June and quickly replaced them with seven questionable members who largely did not have subject matter expertise. Many of these new members have expressed anti-vaccine rhetoric and skepticism about pandemic responses and COVID-19 vaccines. "This is a clear example of the politicization of public health policy," said Dr. Peter Hotez, a leading vaccine expert and professor at Baylor College of Medicine. "The removal of this vaccine from the recommended schedule will put children's lives at risk." Dr. Hotez noted that the MMRV vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in preventing measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. He expressed concern that the decision was made without considering the potential consequences for public health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not yet commented on the decision, but a spokesperson said they will review the ACIP's recommendations and make any necessary changes to their vaccine schedule. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also expressed concern about the decision. "We strongly disagree with the removal of this vaccine from the recommended schedule," said Dr. Lee Savio Beers, AAP president. "This vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in preventing serious diseases." Background on the ACIP's new members is concerning. At least two new members have been paid witnesses in trials against vaccine makers, a clear conflict of interest. This raises questions about their ability to provide unbiased recommendations. The decision by Kennedy's handpicked advisors will likely face opposition from public health experts and medical professionals who prioritize evidence-based policy making over ideology-driven agendas. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact vaccine policies and public health outcomes in the United States. *Reporting by Arstechnica.*