The US Department of Health and Human Services announced five new members to the CDC's vaccine advisory committee, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), days before a key meeting on COVID-19 and other vaccines. The appointees include several who have publicly questioned vaccine safety and efficacy or criticized pandemic responses. This follows the recent controversial removal of all previous ACIP members by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and their rapid replacement with new candidates, some with alleged conflicts of interest. The upcoming meeting will address COVID-19, Hepatitis B, MMRV, and RSV vaccines.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.