ACR Concerns on the Scientific Integrity at the CDC Save

On behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), we express deep concern over recent developments at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that appear to undermine the agency’s longstanding commitment to science-based public health policy.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has historically played a vital role in ensuring that immunization schedules reflect rigorous scientific consensus and prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations. Patients with rheumatic diseases—many of whom rely on immune-suppressive therapies—depend on clear, evidence-based vaccine guidance to protect against serious infections.

The abrupt dismissal of ACIP members and the appointment of individuals whose views diverge from established medical science, raise serious questions about the future of vaccine policy in the United States. These concerns are compounded by reports of leadership changes at the CDC that suggest resistance to unscientific policy shifts may have prompted dismissals.

The ACR urges policymakers to exercise oversight and demand transparency regarding:

• The rationale and process behind the dismissal and reconstitution of ACIP.
• The implications of these changes for immunization guidance, particularly for immunocompromised populations.
• Any policy divergence which may have led to the termination of Dr. Susan Monarez, Director of the CDC, so quickly after being nominated by this administration and confirmed on July 29.
• The qualifications that will be required of a replacement for Dr. Monarez which would avoid the same conflict while adhering to data-backed medical science.

The ACR supports vaccine policies grounded in peer-reviewed science and clinical evidence. We urge policymakers to maintain transparent, science-driven processes in shaping vaccine recommendations. Excluding medical experts from advisory roles undermines public health, erodes trust in our nation’s health institutions, and puts patients at risk.