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Kennedy Fires CDC Experts, Judge Blocks Controversial Changes

3/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., serving as health secretary, fired all 17 experts from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and installed anti-vaccine allies, triggering chaotic meetings and policy changes.
A federal judge blocked these changes.
Public Citizen reports Kennedy terminated 75 federal advisory committees, including 49 at the National Institutes of Health, causing a 74% drop in competitive awards versus prior years.

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Story summary

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., serving as health secretary, fired all 17 experts from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and installed anti-vaccine allies, triggering chaotic meetings and policy changes.
A federal judge blocked these changes.
Public Citizen reports Kennedy terminated 75 federal advisory committees, including 49 at the National Institutes of Health, causing a 74% drop in competitive awards versus prior years.