RFK Jr. Forms Vaccination Panel Focused on Childhood Immunizations in Historic First Meeting

On June 26, 2025, a newly appointed medical advisory panel convened for its inaugural meeting under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was appointed by US Health Secretary. This panel, consisting of eight new members including controversial figures like scientist Robert Malone and the chair Martin Kulldorff, aims to reassess the current childhood vaccine schedule. Kennedy's decision to replace the previous 17-member group, citing conflicts of interest, has sparked widespread discussion.

The agenda for the meeting revealed a focus on themes long favored by anti-vaccine advocates, such as questioning the safety and timing of certain childhood vaccines, including the Hepatitis B vaccine administered at birth. Kulldorff announced the formation of a new working group to scrutinize vaccine interactions and scheduling, raising concerns among experts about potential undermining of established immunization protocols. Critics, including infectious disease specialist Amesh Adalja, pointed out that some of the issues being highlighted are well-understood and do not warrant reexamination.

A significant moment during the meeting was the decision of the panel to consider recommending a new antibody treatment for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for infants whose mothers did not receive the vaccine during pregnancy. Meanwhile, the agenda included revisiting settled debates over vaccine preservatives like thimerosal and discussing rare side effects associated with vaccines such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR). Notably, incorrect citations and unsubstantiated claims, such as a non-existent study linking thimerosal to neurological consequences, raised concerns about the factual accuracy of some presentations.

The panel also discussed potential effects of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines on immune health, with some members suggesting possible adverse effects, although CDC representatives defended vaccine safety. Discussions about MMR and varicella vaccines emphasized safety trade-offs, yet the focus remained on scrutinizing rare adverse effects rather than reiterating the undeniable benefits of vaccination, particularly in light of ongoing measles outbreaks which have resulted in over 1,200 cases this year.

The recommendations from this panel could have far-reaching implications for vaccination policies and public health strategies nationwide, influencing school vaccine requirements and insurance coverage decisions.