ATLANTA, GA – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is set to convene for a critical two-day meeting this week, just weeks after a significant restructuring of its membership announced by Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
The committee, the principal advisory body to the CDC on vaccine-preventable diseases, will gather at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, June 25, and Thursday, June 26, 2025. This meeting takes place against the backdrop of the controversial leadership change that saw the removal of 17 sitting members and the appointment of eight new individuals.
Key Meeting Details and Schedule
The ACIP meeting is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on June 25. The session on June 26 will commence earlier, running from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. These sessions are expected to cover a range of topics pertinent to immunization schedules, vaccine safety, and policy, although the full detailed agenda typically informs participants closer to the date.
Leadership Transition Under Secretary Kennedy Jr.
The context for this meeting is profoundly shaped by the June 9 announcement by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Secretary Kennedy Jr. publicly stated his decision to remove the existing 17 members of the ACIP and replace them with eight new appointees. The stated objective behind this significant overhaul, according to the Secretary, is to reestablish public confidence in vaccine science.
This move has attracted considerable attention and debate within the public health community, raising questions about the committee’s future direction and the potential impact on vaccine recommendations relied upon by healthcare providers and the public nationwide.
Significance of the Meeting
The ACIP plays a pivotal role in shaping U.S. public health policy by developing recommendations for vaccine use in the civilian population. Their guidance informs vaccination schedules for children and adults, decisions that are crucial for preventing infectious diseases. The first meeting of the committee following such a substantial change in its composition is highly anticipated, offering initial insights into how the new membership may approach its mandate.
Discussions during the June 25-26 session are expected to signal the priorities and operational dynamics of the reconstituted committee. Observers will be closely watching for how the new members engage with established protocols and the scientific data presented.
Access for Media and the Public
In keeping with practices for significant advisory committee meetings, provisions have been made for public and media access. Media representatives wishing to attend the meeting in person at the Atlanta headquarters were required to request credentials by a deadline of 1 p.m. ET on June 24.
For those unable to attend physically, the CDC is providing access via a live webcast. The link for the live webcast will be made available on the ACIP website on the morning of Wednesday, June 25, ensuring broad public access to the proceedings.
Agenda and Future Outlook
A draft agenda outlining the topics slated for discussion during the June 25-26 meeting is currently available on the ACIP website. While specific agenda items can sometimes be subject to change, the draft provides a preliminary overview of the critical immunization issues the committee intends to address.
The outcomes of this meeting, particularly any new or reaffirmed recommendations and the tenor of the committee’s deliberations, will be closely scrutinized. They represent the first formal steps taken by the reorganized ACIP under the administration’s stated goal of rebuilding public trust in vaccine recommendations and the underlying science.
This meeting marks a new chapter for the ACIP, occurring at a time of heightened public scrutiny regarding vaccine policies and the scientific bodies that inform them. The proceedings over the next two days in Atlanta are therefore expected to be keenly watched by public health professionals, policymakers, and the general public alike.
