After court loss, RFK Jr. gives himself more power over CDC vaccine panel
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The Bottom Line
Health Secretary RFK Jr. changed rules to gain more control over the CDC's vaccine advisory panel after a court loss.
How This Affects You
The Health Secretary's increased power over the federal vaccine advisory panel could influence public health recommendations and vaccine policies that affect all Americans.
AI Summary
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has amended the charter of a federal vaccine advisory panel, giving himself more power to hand-pick members and loosen membership requirements. This action follows a federal judge's decision last month to temporarily block advisors Kennedy had previously selected. US District Judge Brian Murphy ruled that Kennedy's picks largely lacked expertise in relevant fields and failed to meet federal regulations requiring committees to be "fairly balanced." Kennedy had fired all 17 experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) before making his initial selections. The charter changes were published today in the Federal Register.
What's Being Done
US District Judge Brian Murphy previously blocked Kennedy's initial picks for the panel, ruling they lacked expertise.
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