Leadership Change at Vaccine Advisory Committee Amid Controversial Recommendations
ACIP Chairman Departs for New HHS Role; Vaccine-Critical Former Member Steps in as Replacement
Personnel Shift and Stance:
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New Chair: Dr. Kirk Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist who previously attributed an increase in cardiovascular disease among older teens and young adults to vaccines, will become the new ACIP chair. He was initially appointed to the committee in September.
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Outgoing Chair: Mr. Kulldorff, a Swedish biostatistician and co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, is moving into the role of chief science officer within the HHS planning and evaluation office.
Committee Restructuring:
The changes follow a move earlier this year by the HHS Secretary to fire the entire 17-member ACIP panel and replace it with a group that includes several anti-vaccine voices, naming Kulldorff as chairman. Under Kulldorff’s leadership,the group made several contentious decisions that drew criticism from major medical groups:
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Thimerosal: Recommended the removal of the preservative thimerosal from flu vaccine doses, despite some members acknowledging a lack of evidence that it caused harm.
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Combination Shots: Recommended new restrictions on a combination shot protecting against chickenpox,measles, mumps, and rubella.
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COVID-19 Policy: Took the unprecedented step of not recommending COVID-19 vaccinations for any population, including high-risk seniors, instead making it a matter of personal choice.
The new ACIP, which abandoned its traditional multi-month, evidence-based “evidence-to-recommendation” framework, has been criticized by independent medical groups who advised doctors to continue following previous,evidence-based guidance.
Upcoming Agenda: Hepatitis B Shots:
The ACIP is scheduled to meet in Atlanta later this week, with a vote expected on whether to change the recommendation regarding the hepatitis B shot given to newborns.
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Current Recommendation: Calls for the first dose to be administered to all medically stable infants weighing at least 4.4 pounds (2 kg) within 24 hours of birth. This strategy has been highly successful in preventing chronic infection in children.
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Potential Change: Despite the high efficacy (85% to 95%) and established safety record, the new ACIP members have discussed recommending a delay of this initial vaccination. A vote was previously pulled back in September amid criticism from pediatric and infectious disease specialists who warned against undermining the safety and efficacy record of the vaccine.
Source:Â https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/01/health/cdc-acip-vaccine-committee-kulldorff
