“We are dedicated to providing ongoing information about vaccines to guarantee access and affordability for this respiratory virus season,” the statement noted. “We urge all Americans to consult their healthcare provider regarding vaccines.”
ACIP gained attention in early June when RFK Jr. dismissed all 17 of its members, appointing instead eight new ones. Traditionally, the HHS secretary selects members who typically serve four-year terms. Among the new faces is Retsef Levi, who has claimed—despite prevailing scientific opinion—that mRNA vaccines are lethal. There’s also Robert Malone, who often shares articles suggesting links between cancer and the Covid vaccine, a connection unverified by credible research. Neither Levi nor Malone responded to inquiries for comment.
Michael A. Ross, another new committee member, resigned amid a review of his financial holdings, as reported on June 24. RFK Jr. had previously introduced Ross as affiliated with George Washington University and Virginia Commonwealth University, but university spokespeople indicated that Ross hasn’t taught there for years. Ross did not respond to requests for comment.
ACIP made headlines again on June 25 during its first meeting of the year, where it decided to create a working group to evaluate the immunization schedule for children and teens.
ACIP chair Martin Kulldorff remarked, “The number of vaccines our kids receive now is higher than what children in most other developed countries get and far more than what many of us had as kids.” He mentioned that the group would look into the “cumulative effect” of the vaccination schedule, analyzing vaccine interactions, the total count, timing, and exposure to their ingredients.
However, adding vaccines to the schedule is a meticulous process. As Paul Offit from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia explained, vaccine manufacturers must demonstrate that their product doesn’t negatively impact the safety or immune response of concurrently administered vaccines before gaining FDA licensure. He also mentioned, “The idea that vaccines weaken or overwhelm your immune system is unrealistic.” Compared to earlier generations, today’s children encounter fewer viral or bacterial proteins in their initial vaccine doses. For context, when Offit’s parents received the smallpox vaccine, it included 200 proteins, whereas today’s measles vaccine contains only 10.
During the meeting, Kulldorff reiterated claims he had made in 2024, stating he was fired from Harvard for refusing the Covid vaccine. He and Malone have also served as paid expert witnesses against Merck concerning the HPV and mumps vaccines, respectively. Kulldorff did not reply to requests for comment.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) usually sends representatives to ACIP meetings, but not this time. President Susan Kressly explained this decision was rooted in the AAP’s belief that the vaccine recommendation process lost its integrity following the overhaul of its original membership by Kennedy. “We can’t associate our name or expertise with a system being politicized at the expense of children’s health,” she stated in a video released before the meeting. The AAP has not commented regarding this video.
The most recent child immunization schedule endorsed by the AAP, from November 2024, is available on their website. Meanwhile, a newer schedule on the CDC site has already revised its recommendations, no longer categorizing Covid vaccines for non-immunocompromised children under 18 as “routine” but rather as suggestions for “shared clinical decision-making,” depending on “personal preference and circumstances.” This alteration should not influence insurance coverage.
