Recently, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all 17 members of the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an action that undermines public trust in public health institutions and threatens patient access to critical vaccinations.

The ACR supports ACIP’s rigorous scientific process as well as its development of recommended immunization schedules as a means of protecting vulnerable patients with rheumatic diseases and strongly opposes these firings and any actions that undermine public trust in established medical science.

It is vital that your lawmakers hear from the rheumatology community on this issue! Congress is empowered to seek information on the circumstances surrounding the decision to replace all 17 ACIP members and must engage in oversight of the administration’s actions.

Contact your members of Congress today and urge them to publicly support science-based recommendations and oppose efforts that threaten patient access to vaccines!