The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) denied on March 20 that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is being disbanded, following claims made by committee Vice Chair Robert Malone. The denial comes after a federal judge ruled earlier in the week that ACIP’s reconstitution last June did not follow required procedures.
The issue has drawn attention because ACIP plays a key role in shaping national vaccination guidelines. Its scheduled meeting this week was postponed amid leadership changes at the CDC, with Jay Bhattacharya replacing Jim O’Neill as acting director.
Malone wrote in a post on X that the panel “has been disbanded,” asserting that “the government’s response to the [American Academy of Pediatrics] lawsuit and judge Murphey’s injunction is to disband and then recreate a new ACIP committee, as this will take less time than would be required to file and prosecute an appeal.” However, Andrew Nixon, spokesperson for HHS, said in an email to BioSpace: “Unless officially announced by us, any assertions about what we are doing next is baseless speculation.”
Earlier this week, Judge Brian Murphy of the District Court for Massachusetts blocked Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to overhaul U.S. vaccine policy. In his ruling, Murphy criticized Kennedy’s decision to replace ACIP members without following established screening procedures, calling it a “procedural failure” that highlights why such processes exist. The American Academy of Pediatrics had sued HHS over the move last July.
Malone also commented on social media regarding Murphy’s ruling: “There will be no action from the government to respond to the defamatory characterization of the former ACIP members.”
The controversy adds to ongoing scrutiny of HHS leadership ahead of midterm elections later this year. Reports indicate White House officials have urged Kennedy to moderate his public statements due to concerns about his popularity and recent department controversies. Despite these issues, Kennedy continues to have President Donald Trump’s support.
