RFK Jr. reshapes CDC vaccine panel with new OB-GYN appointments

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. connected Tuesday reshaped the CDC’s almighty vaccine panel, naming 2 obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) arsenic portion of his propulsion to overhaul the nation’s immunization policy.

Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic who has embraced the "Make America Healthy Again" agenda, named Dr. Adam Urato, an OB-GYN specializing successful maternal-fetal medicine, and Dr. Kimberly Biss, an OB-GYN based successful St. Petersburg, Florida, to the panel, which plays a cardinal relation successful shaping national vaccine recommendations.

Jim O’Neill, the lawman caput of wellness and quality services and acting manager of the CDC, said the changes are portion of a broader effort to guarantee vaccine policies are driven by technological data.

"President Trump asked america to bring the puerility immunization docket successful enactment with gold-standard science," said O’Neill. "ACIP is doing conscionable that. Our caller ACIP members person the objective expertise to marque decisions driven by evidence, not dogma."

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U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a argumentation announcement astatine the Department of Health and Human Services connected Jan. 8, 2026, successful Washington, D.C. The Trump medication precocious announced caller dietary guidelines emphasizing macromolecule and full-fat dairy portion limiting processed foods. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The panel, formally known arsenic the Advisory Committee connected Immunization Practices (ACIP), advises the CDC manager and the HHS caput connected vaccine usage and the nation’s immunization schedule.

In June, Kennedy fired each existing members of the vaccine panel, saying the determination was indispensable to reconstruct nationalist spot and trim conflicts of interest. The committee was aboriginal reconstituted with caller appointees aligned with his views connected vaccine safety, transparency and technological rigor.

One of the caller appointees, Urato, has antecedently criticized CDC COVID-19 vaccine guidance for large women, arguing that information assurances were issued earlier capable information was available. Supporters accidental his assignment brings needed scrutiny to national wellness guidance, portion critics pass it could undermine assurance successful vaccines.

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Officials said the determination aligns with President Trump’s telephone to bring the puerility immunization docket successful enactment with "gold-standard science." (REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson)

The reconstituted sheet has since revisited respective longstanding recommendations, including guidance traditionally supported by mainstream nationalist wellness officials. Those changes culminated earlier this twelvemonth successful a large revision of the CDC’s puerility immunization schedule. 

In January 2026, CDC officials acting nether the Trump medication and Kennedy’s absorption revised the U.S. puerility vaccine schedule, reducing the fig of universally recommended vaccines from astir 17 to astir 11.

Several vaccines — including flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, immoderate meningococcal vaccines and RSV — are nary longer broadly recommended and present autumn nether shared decision-making oregon are advised lone for high-risk groups.

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A young kid receives a vaccine.  (iStock)

Last week, the medication besides released caller Dietary Guidelines that prioritize high-quality protein, steadfast fats, fruits, vegetables and full grains.

The guidelines promote Americans to debar highly processed foods and refined carbohydrates — different pillar of Kennedy’s broader "Make America Healthy Again" agenda.