CDC vaccine advisors removed before COVID-19 vaccine meeting

Myth that vaccines cause SIDS resurfaces online.

On June 9, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices just two weeks before the committee’s meeting on COVID-19 vaccines. While Kennedy called it “a clean sweep” that’s “needed to re-establish public confidence in vaccine science,” the move drew harsh criticism from vaccine and public health experts as well as approval from vaccine opponents. Meanwhile, a dubious new analysis reignited false claims that vaccines are linked to sudden infant death syndrome and a viral video promoted myths about tetanus vaccines.

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What’s trending in vaccine conversation:

On June 9, Kennedy announced that all ACIP members had been removed from their positions only two weeks before the committee was set to meet to discuss COVID-19 vaccines. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Kennedy said that removing the established panel of vaccine experts will “restore public trust in vaccines.” Public health and vaccine experts condemned the move as “reckless” and “dangerous,” arguing that it will politicize vaccine science and undermine public trust. The news received widespread media coverage and social media attention, with top posts garnering millions of views. A popular post from a news agency received nearly 16,000 replies as of June 10, mostly critical of Kennedy and the anti-vaccine movement. Some social media users worried that COVID-19 and flu vaccines won’t be available in the fall, while others speculated that Kennedy would pick anti-vaccine activists to replace the panel of experts, which many critics feel he did on June 11. Vaccine opponents largely celebrated the news as “long overdue” and a “groundbreaking win for health.” However, some argued that the move does not go far enough and that the committee and federal health agencies should be completely disbanded.

A dubious new study is causing a stir in anti-vaccine spaces online. The analysis of previous studies, which was authored by two individuals with no vaccine expertise, claims to have found that infant levels of an enzyme called CYP450 prevent them from properly metabolizing certain vaccine ingredients, causing brain stem failure and SIDS. The study presents no evidence that vaccines cause SIDS or are linked to SIDS in any way. A press release about the study recommends supplements for infants as well as for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals. Notably, one of the study’s authors is an “independent researcher” who has co-published numerous studies with an anti-vaccine journalist, claiming that vaccines are unsafe. The other chairs an alternative medicine organization that promotes therapeutic vitamins and supplements. Many anti-vaccine blogs and social media accounts are sharing the study as a “bombshell” that allegedly “proves” that vaccines cause SIDS. One popular post claims that SIDS is a “planned vaccine extermination of infants.” Additionally, the anti-vaccine organization founded and formerly chaired by Kennedy falsely claimed that 90 percent of infant deaths occur within a week of vaccination.

An anti-vaccine chiropractor who was previously identified as a leading online source of false claims about COVID-19 vaccines shared a video of a man claiming that tetanus vaccines contain “rotting organs” and a host of allegedly harmful ingredients. The man falsely suggests that it takes two to seven weeks after vaccination to develop immunity—citing a study that directly contradicts the claim—and recommends vitamin C as a vaccine alternative. Responses to the video debated the accuracy of the claims and argued that tetanus boosters are unnecessary because tetanus isn’t real. Several posts promoted unproven remedies to prevent or treat tetanus and suggested that healthy people won’t be harmed by a tetanus infection.

Read the fact checks: 

• CIDRAP: Viewpoint: RFK’s reckless firing of CDC vaccine advisors not supported by evidence
• AAP: Fact Checked: There Is No Link Between Vaccines and Sudden Infant Death 
• CHOP: Tetanus: what you should know

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Recommendations for public health professionals

Each week the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. Use these helpful tips when creating content, updating web pages and FAQs, and to inform strategy for messaging about vaccines.

Dramatic changes to established vaccine safety systems without appropriate transparency may weaken public confidence in vaccines and public health guidance. Messaging may emphasize that all previous ACIP members were selected based on their expertise and that conflict of interest claims are dishonest and based on a misrepresentation of a 20-year-old report. Health communicators may highlight the many systems in place in the U.S. to ensure all vaccines are safe and effective.

A dubious new study has resurfaced the myth that vaccines cause SIDS. Health communicators may emphasize that the claim is not from a credible source. The study’s authors have no expertise in the field and have ties to anti-vaccine and alternative medicine organizations. Debunking messaging may explain that decades of research show that there is no link between SIDS and any vaccine. The condition affects vaccinated and unvaccinated infants at the same rate, and some evidence suggests that vaccinated infants are at lower risk of SIDS.

Myths about tetanus vaccines may cause hesitancy and prevent people from vaccinating their children or getting a life-saving tetanus shot after potential exposure. Messaging may explain the severity of a tetanus infection and emphasize that vaccination is nearly 100 percent effective against tetanus. Talking points may also emphasize that tetanus vaccines are very safe and contain no harmful ingredients.

Interested in recommendations tailored to health care providers? Click here.