Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s newly appointed vaccine advisory panel is facing widespread criticism from pediatricians. The panel plans to reassess childhood vaccination schedules, a move experts deem designed to undermine public trust in immunizations. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) calls the panel illegitimate and boycotted its first meeting, citing the inclusion of members linked to vaccine misinformation. The AAP emphasizes the current schedule's success and warns against jeopardizing measles vaccination rates amidst a major US outbreak. The panel's review of vaccines, including the hepatitis B birth dose and MMR, is seen as fueling anti-vaccine sentiments.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.