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CDC's Vaccine Advisory Committee Welcomes Controversial New Members

9/16/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Five new members joined the CDC's vaccine advisory committee before an important COVID-19 vaccine meeting.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to appoint up to seven additional members to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
New appointees include Dr. Catherine Stein, Dr. Evelyn Griffin, Dr. Hillary Blackburn, Dr. Kirk Milhoan, and Dr. Raymond Pollak, some of whom have criticized COVID-19 responses.
Kennedy previously removed all 17 ACIP members, citing unproven conflicts of interest, despite a USC review showing low conflicts.
The upcoming ACIP meeting will cover various vaccines, including those for COVID-19 and hepatitis B.

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Story summary

Five new members joined the CDC's vaccine advisory committee before an important COVID-19 vaccine meeting.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to appoint up to seven additional members to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
New appointees include Dr. Catherine Stein, Dr. Evelyn Griffin, Dr. Hillary Blackburn, Dr. Kirk Milhoan, and Dr. Raymond Pollak, some of whom have criticized COVID-19 responses.
Kennedy previously removed all 17 ACIP members, citing unproven conflicts of interest, despite a USC review showing low conflicts.
The upcoming ACIP meeting will cover various vaccines, including those for COVID-19 and hepatitis B.