RFK Jr. Gathering Vaccine Skeptics for CDC Committee Replacement
Kennedy Jr. is forming a panel with individuals holding vaccine skeptic views.
Buckle up, folks! Robert F. Kennedy Jr., fresh off ousting all experts from the CDC's vaccine advisory committee, has lined up his new recruits. And boy, they're not conventional choices, to put it mildly.
According to reports, Kennedy's replacements include at least three individuals who have previously expressed doubts about mRNA vaccines. Sounds intriguing? Let's delve deeper.
Kennedy's justification? These newcomers are "committed to evidence-based medicine, top-notch science, and common sense." He promised they'd demand "hard evidence" before greenlighting any new vaccine recommendations.
Martin Kulldorff, one of the prominent new faces, advocated for herd immunity through mass coronavirus infections back in 2020. He alsoich his skin off the wall with criticisms of lockdown policies and school closures. Cue the drums for Robert Malone, an early mRNA technology researcher who later became a vaccine critic, spreading unproven claims about vaccinated Covid survivors facing elevated risks.
"Kennedy hasn't picked folks with current and solid vaccine knowledge," commented Dorit Reiss, a vaccine policy pro at UC Law in San Francisco to NPR. "It seems Kennedy is assembling a biased committee, potentially on a mission to promote an anti-vaccine agenda."
CDC's Vaccine Committee Dismissals
If you've been following along, you know Kennedy's nothing new to vaccine controversy. He's been kicking up a stink about vaccine safety and efficacy for years, often going against the grain of scientific findings.
With the shakeup, Kennedy labeled the previous ACIP members as corrupt, claiming they'd never rejected a vaccine and were wall-to-wall pharmaceutical company grifters. A quick check reveals ACIP members must report any potential conflicts, so feel free to take that one with a grain of salt.
Lastly, while the identities of Kennedy's new panelists remain under wraps, concerns swirl about their views on mRNA vaccines - a tricky subject considering the on-going pandemic. With Kennedy's history on the anti-vaccine side, many fear his appointees may align with his stance, steering away from the mainstream scientific consensus. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
[1] WashPost[2] NTV Germany[3] LME (German website)[4] US radio NPR[5] Enrichment Data- Kennedy's Actions: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ousted all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), citing a need for a "clean sweep." He also made changes in COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, which bypassed the CDC's formal process and were met with criticism from health experts.- Public Health Concerns: The removal of ACIP members and changes in vaccine policy have been criticized by public health leaders. The Department of Health and Human Services has been accused of providing "junk science" to Congress to justify vaccine policy changes.- Anti-Vaccine Support: The decision has been praised by anti-vaccine activists, who view it as a step towards reducing vaccine mandates and availability.
- Amidst concerns about the new appointments, the community policy discussions are increasingly focused on the potential implications of the changes in the ACIP, particularly in relation to the employment policy regarding vaccines.
- Beyond the vaccine controversy, Kennedy's actions have also sparked broader debates in general-news and politics, with critics accusing him of disregarding science and health-and-wellness in favor of anti-vaccine agendas.
