The NPR Politics Podcast MAHA Cheers and Public Health Fears as RFK Ousts Vaccine Panel
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Jun 11, 2025 
Will Stone, NPR health correspondent, dives into the controversial decision by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to dismiss an entire vaccine advisory board, igniting fierce debate within the public health community. He discusses the implications of this move amid rising vaccine skepticism, particularly among Trump's supporters. The conversation reveals how political alliances may compromise public health initiatives and the credibility of vaccine programs, as well as the wider impact on U.S. health policy.
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Role and Removal of ACIP
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) helps set vaccine schedules and insurance coverage policies in the U.S.
- RFK Jr. removed all 17 members citing conflicts of interest, although these claims are disputed by experts.
Refuting Conflicts of Interest Claim
- ACIP members follow strict ethics rules with disclosures and recusals for conflicts of interest.
- The conflict of interest claims used by Kennedy were largely debunked by experts and reports.
Unexpected Dismissals of ACIP Members
- One ACIP member learned of their removal from an opinion piece Kennedy authored, not from formal communication.
- The notification came only after the public announcement, highlighting the unexpected nature of the move.