WASHINGTON — On Monday, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all members of a scientific committee that provides guidance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about vaccine usage and committed to appointing his own selections.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, consisting of 17 members, had faced instability since Kennedy assumed his position. Its initial meeting for this year was postponed when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services unexpectedly delayed its February session.

Previously recognized as a prominent anti-vaccine advocate before ascending to the role of the nation’s principal health official, Kennedy recently took the rare action of altering COVID-19 guidelines without prior consultation of the panel.

Kennedy, in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, said the committee members had too many conflicts of interest. Committee members routinely disclose any possible conflicts at the start of public meetings.

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