Anti-vaccine activist Robert Malone steps down from the CDC panel after a conflict, amid ongoing challenges to appointments made by Health Secretary RFK Jr.
Robert Malone, a prominent anti-vaccine advocate, has resigned from his position as vice chair of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Malone confirmed his resignation to CQ Roll Call, citing "drama" stemming from a recent spat with a spokesperson.
Malone was one of several allies hand-selected by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to join ACIP. Kennedy fired the panel's original 17 experts last June and replaced them with his appointees, including Malone.
Background on ACIP Appointments
Last week, a federal judge issued a temporary block on Kennedy's ACIP appointments, including Malone. The ruling also halted changes made by the new members to federal vaccine guidance and Kennedy's overhaul of the childhood vaccine schedule, deeming these actions likely illegal.
Malone's resignation came after he initially claimed on social media that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) planned to disband ACIP without appealing the judge's decision. He later retracted this statement, attributing it to a miscommunication and noting that disbanding the committee was only one option under consideration.
The judge's decision highlighted concerns about the qualifications of Kennedy's appointees, including Malone, who is a former researcher known for his outspoken views against vaccines. This development adds to the ongoing scrutiny of Kennedy's influence on public health policies.
ACIP advises the CDC on vaccine recommendations, and the recent disruptions could affect future immunization guidelines. Malone's departure leaves the panel in flux as legal challenges continue.
According to reports from Ars Technica, this resignation underscores the tensions within federal health advisory roles amid political appointments.
