When secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. His term of office started as a secretary of health and human services, he promised“We are not taking anyone’s vaccines away.” However, recent policy changes under his leadership – linked to the unprecedented dismissal Of all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on 9 June hebben that statement proven to be proven, so that serious concerns are expressed for the COVID-19 answer of our country and a wider vaccine policy. These shifts not only endanger public health, but also threaten to run trust in our health institutions at a critical moment.
In May 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced a new COVID-19Gaccin frameLimiting access to updated vaccines for Americans aged 65 and older or with specific risk factors. In addition, Secretary Kennedy has announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for ‘healthy’ children or pregnant women-it-management of the standard ACIP assessment process.
The aggravation of these changes, the abrupt removal of the entire panel of ACIP of independent experts, who have had evidence-based vaccine policy for decades, risks destabilizing a cornerstone of public health. These actions jointly limit access to an essential tool to save lives and to undermine trust in our health systems.
Read more: What about RFK Jr. Removing all experts from CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
During my term of office as a surgeon-general under the first Trump administration, we were confronted with considerable challenges in the field of public health, to tackle opioid epidemic by increasing access to Naloxon to launching operation Warp speed for the COVID-19 vaccine development deductions. The vaccines developed on the basis of Trump’s first term have proven to be one of our most effective defenses against COVID-19; Nevertheless, the new policy of current administration limits their availability, making millions of vulnerable. The dismissal of the experts from ACIP – without a clear plan to replace them with qualified scientists – endangers confidence in the institutions in charge of protecting Americans.
The big mistake in the new VaccinRamework is the limited assessment of the risk. Although the immediate dangers of COVID-19 have been reduced, it remains an important cause of death and hospitalization, so that almost claims 50,000 lives In the US in 2024 – more than breast cancer or Car -accident. The fact is, 75% From Americans have risk factors, such as obesity or diabetes, which increase their vulnerability to serious Covid results. However, the burden is now laid to individuals to identify themselves as a high risk, creating confusion and inconsistency in access. In contrast to other countries with centralized systems for identifying risky individuals, the US expects patients of whom much no easy access to health care is missing-that they will only be eligible.
Risk assessment must also take into account individual circumstances that go beyond the underlying health problems. A 58-year-old bus driver or caregiver is confronted with a considerably more exposure than someone who works remotely. By limiting vaccines to specific groups based exclusively on existing health status, the policy is overlooking these critical contextual differences.
The team of secretary Kennedy argues that there is insufficient evidence to support updated COVID-19 vaccines for healthy Americans under the age of 65, but this claim is flat. Years of Real-World data show that vaccines Save lives and reduce hospital admissions About all age groups. During the autumn and winter season from 2023 to 2024, 95% No updated vaccine had received an updated vaccine from those who were admitted to the hospital. While the administration quotes the more restrictive vaccine policy of other countries, such comparisons ignore the unique health landscape in the US, including higher obesity rates, poorer health results for mothers and unequal access to health care.
The policy also neglects the issue of Long Covid, that influences millions With debilitating symptoms that last months or years. Although older adults run a higher risk of severe acute infections, long covid disproportionate consequences Adults aged 35 to 49 – and children are Also affected. Vaccination reduces the risk From developing long Covid, an essential reason why many healthy individuals choose to stay informed of their vaccines.
Read more: What is the risk of getting Long Covid in 2024?
Especially with regard to the decision to put an end to recommendations from Covid -vaccine for ‘healthy’ pregnant women, who contradict the FDA’s own guidance. Pregnant women are confronted Increased risks From serious COVID results, including death, pre-eclampsia and a miscarriage. Vaccination during pregnancy is crucial – not only for the health of the mother but also for Protection of babies Under six months, which cannot be vaccinated and dependent on maternal antibodies for protection. Decades of research confirm that vaccines, including Covid vaccines, securely transfer antibodies to newborns, reducing their risk of serious illness.
The resignation of the members of ACIP reinforces these concerns. ACIP is a trusted, scientific authority that ensures that vaccines are safe and effective, so that countless lives are saved by its transparent recommendations. The members, rigorously examined for expertise and conflicts, offer independent guidelines that are crucial for public health. Removing them without clear evidence of misconduct risks to replace qualified scientists with less experienced voices. This movement nourishes vaccine hesitation and skepticism on decisions about public health, in particular in combination with circumventing ACIP assessment process for the new COVID vaccine policy.
These changes create uncertainty about who has access to vaccines. Without clear CDC recommendations, insurance companies can impose their own coverage criteria, which may increase the costs for a vaccine that was previously free for most Americans. Healthcare providers, who do not miss federal guidance and the expertise of ACIP, have difficulty advising patients, which leads to a confusing and unfair system that limits the choice – hard secretary of “medical freedom” Kennedy claims to be champion.
Ultimately, these actions threaten to hollow confidence in public health. FDA officials claim that the new framework is improving transparency, but still bypassing the assessment of ACIP and undermines its members. Extensive data show that updated vaccines lower hospitalization and mortality rates lower, but this proof was sidelined. Such actions grow skepticism, making it more difficult to unite Americans around shared health goals.
The bet is high, but a better path is possible. Restoring trust requires transparent, evidence-based policy-making that prioritizing access to life-saving aids. I insist on secretary Kennedy and the administration to reconsider this framework, to restore the role of ACIP in the vaccine policy and to ensure that new, independent experts are qualified. If there are concerns about ACIP, they must be tackled by reform, not on dissolution. Suppliers of health care and community leaders must also train patients on vaccination benefits, in particular for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and people with high exposure. Individuals can take action by staying informed, discussing vaccination with their doctors and arguing for clear, fair access to vaccines.
By working together – government, providers and citizens – we can protect lives, reduce the burden of long Covid and rebuild trust in our public health system. We must seize this opportunity to unite around science and to guarantee a healthier, safer and prosperous future for all Americans.
#RFK #Purging #CDC #Advice #Committee #endanger #lives