Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, has appointed Dr. Adam Urato and Dr. Kimberly Biss, both obstetrician-gynecologists, to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Both physicians have publicly expressed views that question prevailing scientific consensus on vaccines and the use of certain medications during pregnancy. These appointments bring the committee's total membership to 13 and are part of broader changes initiated by Secretary Kennedy, who previously dismissed the entire panel in June.
Appointments to ACIP
On Tuesday, Secretary Kennedy announced the addition of Dr. Urato and Dr. Biss to the ACIP, a body responsible for providing recommendations to the CDC regarding vaccines. Dr. Urato is also a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine. These appointments follow Secretary Kennedy's earlier action in June, where he dismissed the previous ACIP panel and subsequently appointed 11 new members.
Secretary's Rationale and HHS Statement
Secretary Kennedy issued a statement praising the new appointees, indicating that "ACIP serves as Americans’ watchdog for vaccine safety and transparency. Dr. Urato and Dr. Biss bring the scientific credentials, clinical experience, and integrity this committee requires."
An HHS spokesman, Andrew Nixon, further stated that the appointments of Dr. Biss and Dr. Urato were made based on their "extensive clinical experience and their commitment to evidence-based medicine." Nixon added that ACIP benefits from clinicians who "engage patients honestly, respect informed consent, and evaluate the science rigorously."
Appointees' Public Positions
Dr. Kimberly Biss has publicly criticized Covid-19 vaccines.
- During a 2023 testimony before a Republican-led House subcommittee, she reported experiencing significant menstrual irregularities in her patients following vaccination, with some cases requiring surgical intervention.
- In a December 2022 podcast, Dr. Biss stated, "prior to Covid I was not an anti-vaxxer, but I am now because I’ve gone down the rabbit hole." She reiterated this position at a May 2023 panel hosted by the Vaccine Safety Research Foundation.
- She has also stated that she identifies as an "anti-vaxxer" and indicated she would prevent her grandchildren from receiving vaccinations if she could influence the decision.
- Her past comments include questioning the safety of the Gardasil HPV vaccine and suggesting a potential link between coronavirus vaccination and an increase in cancer in children, a claim that has been widely refuted.
- In October, Dr. Biss referenced guidance from the Trump administration advising pregnant women to avoid Tylenol due to potential links to autism; however, most scientific evidence indicates that moderate Tylenol use during pregnancy is safe and unconnected to autism.
- She has disputed the notion that pregnant women have suppressed immune systems, which is a factor often cited in recommendations for vaccination during pregnancy.
Dr. Adam Urato has also publicly challenged mainstream medical conclusions concerning vaccines and medications.
- He has questioned the safety of vaccines administered during pregnancy.
- Dr. Urato has raised concerns about the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in pregnancy, petitioning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require warning labels due to potential pregnancy complications and effects on fetal brain development.
- In a June podcast, he discussed an "over-intervention in medicine," citing "too much testing, too many drugs, too many vaccines."
- He has compared vaccine manufacturers to cigarette makers regarding the communication of risks.
- Dr. Urato has stated that pharmaceutical companies promote products by creating fear of illness and has questioned whether the U.S. population is "over-vaccinated."
- He has also tweeted that it is unknown whether multiple vaccines given during pregnancy have adverse effects on the mother or baby, advocating for acknowledging women's vaccine concerns.
Context and Committee Plans
The ACIP plans to review vaccine safety during pregnancy, and a work group focused on maternal vaccines has been established.
Reactions and Broader Perspectives
The appointments have drawn criticism from some groups and prompted concern from various medical organizations, state health departments, and public health experts.
- Protect Our Care, a healthcare advocacy group, criticized the appointments. Kayla Hancock, director of Public Health Watch, stated that the appointments would "undermine our public health to advance conspiracy theories and anti-science ideology." She specifically mentioned Dr. Biss for allegedly spreading "misinformation" about Covid vaccine contagiousness.
- Conversely, organizations such as the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine have consistently supported vaccination during pregnancy, citing scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness. ACOG has issued clinical guidance recommending vaccination for pregnant women against conditions like COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, noting that respiratory conditions can lead to severe outcomes during pregnancy. Both Dr. Biss and Dr. Urato have publicly questioned such recommendations.