Kennedy Administration Reshapes Vaccine Advisory Panel Amid Policy Shift
Washington – U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Has appointed two new members to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel responsible for guiding the nation’s immunization policy. The appointments, announced on February 27, 2026, come as the committee faces scrutiny and a rescheduled meeting, and as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) undergoes internal changes .
New ACIP Members Announced
The new members are Sean G. Downing, a primary care doctor licensed in Florida, and Angelina Farella, a pediatrician in Texas . According to HHS, Downing practices concierge medicine in Sarasota, offering membership-based personalized care . Farella owns a pediatric clinic in Texas .
ACIP Meeting Delayed, Faces Legal Challenge
ACIP was originally scheduled to meet in February at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, but the meeting has been postponed to mid-March . The reason for the delay has not been publicly disclosed. A federal judge is currently considering a lawsuit that challenges the validity of the meeting .
Broader HHS Restructuring
The changes to ACIP are occurring alongside a broader restructuring within HHS, with a focus on issues like food and drug policy . Jim O’Neill recently departed his role as Deputy Secretary and acting CDC Director, and Jay Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes for Health, has been appointed as the new acting CDC Director . Bhattacharya praised the new ACIP appointees, stating they bring “experienced clinicians who understand how immunization guidance matters for patients and families” .
Farella’s Previous Statements on COVID-19 Vaccines
Angelina Farella has previously expressed skepticism regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. In a 2021 appearance on NewsMax, she advocated for treating the disease with drugs like steroids and vitamins, rather than vaccination .
The ACIP meeting, when rescheduled, is expected to discuss COVID-19 vaccine injuries and long COVID .