Washington, DC – Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a statement reacting to the first publicly held meeting of CDC vaccine advisors under HHS Secretary Robert. F. Kennedy Jr.
The meeting of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), was initially scheduled for February but was postponed, raising concerns about political interreference in vaccine policy under the leadership of Secretary Kennedy, a known vaccine skeptic. The two-day meeting began today.
Senator Blunt Rochester led her colleagues in urging HHS to reconsider the original postponement of proceedings of the Advisory Committee. She also pressed HHS Secretary Kennedy on allowing ACIP Committee members to serve the remainder of their terms. Secretary Kennedy has previously criticized ACIP members, who are experts in their fields, but pledged during his confirmation process that he would maintain the panel of vaccine advisors without changes. She also urged him to resume communication with the public to ensure people have access to the most up-to-date public health information.
“I am encouraged that the proceedings of ACIP have resumed, giving the American public a window into the future of our nation’s vaccine policy in a time of great uncertainty,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “As America faces measles outbreaks and a changing political landscape, the public deserves transparency. While I’m pleased this meeting is taking place, Secretary Kennedy has yet to formally commit to keeping ACIP members on the committee for the remainder of their terms, not changing the ACIP charter prior to its date of renewal, or ensuring that the June and October 2025 meetings move forward as scheduled. As I stated during Secretary Kennedy’s confirmation process, I will continue to monitor any potential shifts in policy or rhetoric that undermine confidence in vaccines and work alongside my colleagues to hold Secretary Kennedy accountable to his promises to our committee. I am committed to ensuring vaccines remain safe, accessible, and affordable.”
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Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester represents Delaware in the United States Senate where she serves on the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.