Overview

• Kennedy retired all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to break what he called a ‘rubber stamp’ culture and restore trust in vaccine guidance.
• The move reverses his confirmation assurance to Senator Bill Cassidy that the committee would remain unchanged.
• HHS has not announced who will replace the outgoing experts or provided a timeline for new appointees ahead of the panel’s June 25–27 meeting.
• Public health authorities warn that removing the full advisory body is unprecedented and could disrupt vaccine policy reviews.
• Shares of Pfizer, Merck and Novavax fell in after-hours trading as industry leaders expressed concern over the overhaul.