Health secretary RFK Jr appoints two vaccine skeptics to CDC advisory panel

Physicians have disputed prevailing scientific views on vaccines and use of antidepressants during pregnancy

Health secretary RFK Jr appoints two vaccine skeptics to CDC advisory panel

TL;DR

  • Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed Dr. Adam Urato and Dr. Kimberly Biss to the CDC's vaccine advisory committee (ACIP).
  • Both appointees have publicly expressed skepticism regarding vaccine safety and the use of antidepressants during pregnancy.
  • Dr. Biss has stated she is now "anti-vaccine" after previously not being so, citing concerns about menstrual irregularities and other issues following Covid-19 vaccination.
  • Dr. Urato has questioned vaccine safety during pregnancy and raised concerns about SSRIs, advocating for warning labels on these medications.
  • Healthcare advocacy groups, including Protect Our Care, have criticized the appointments, labeling the new members as "anti-vaccine activists" and accusing Kennedy of creating an "anti-vax echo chamber."