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Senators Question Ethics, Expertise After ACIP Shakeup; Nominee Says Ethics Vetting Should Precede Meetings
Summary
Senators pressed the nominee and the administration over the abrupt removal and replacement of members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and asked whether new appointees had completed required ethics vetting before voting on vaccine recommendations.
Senators from both parties raised concerns at the hearing about changes to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the federal panel whose recommendations guide vaccine use, insurance coverage and state vaccination rules.
Multiple senators cited Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to remove the existing 17 ACIP members and appoint new members as grounds for concern about the committee's expertise and whether ethics vetting had been completed before members met.
Senator Tammy Baldwin asked whether, if confirmed, Dr. Menares would ensure adequate staffing and review the status of the ACIP process after the firings. Senator Murray pressed the nominee directly: "Do you agree that any new ACIP…
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