KQED's Forum RFK Jr. Stacks Key Federal Immunization Committee With Vaccine Skeptics
Jun 16, 2025
Katherine Wu, a health and science writer for The Atlantic, and Lauren Weber, an accountability reporter at The Washington Post, dive into RFK Jr.'s controversial reshaping of the federal vaccine advisory panel. They discuss the potential repercussions of appointing vaccine skeptics and the associated public health risks. The conversation explores the misinformation around vaccination safety, especially concerning autism, and critiques proposed strategies affecting COVID-19 immunization for children. They highlight the broader implications for trust in public health and the importance of reliable health guidance.
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Controversial ACIP Overhaul
- RFK Jr. replaced the entire federal vaccine advisory panel with members lacking vaccine expertise.
- Many new appointees hold anti-vaccine views, raising serious concerns about future vaccine policies.
Anti-Vaccine Influence on Policy
- RFK Jr.'s appointment signals potential major shifts in U.S. vaccination policy.
- His history as an anti-vaccine activist fuels public health officials' concerns about vaccine access.
Disproving Vaccine-Autism Link
- Scientific consensus disproves any link between vaccines and autism.
- Despite this, RFK Jr. continues to promote debunked theories, undermining public trust.
