Kennedy appoints two new members to vaccine advisory panel who questioned vaccine and antidepressant safety

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed Dr. Adam Urato and Dr. Kimberly Biss to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices; both have previously questioned aspects of vaccine safety and the use of some antidepressants in pregnancy.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced two new appointments to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The appointees are obstetrician-gynecologists Dr. Adam Urato and Dr. Kimberly Biss. Both have publicly raised doubts about aspects of vaccine safety and about antidepressant use during pregnancy in past testimony and public remarks. Key details: - The two appointees joined 11 other members chosen by Kennedy after he removed the previous ACIP panel in June. - Dr. Kimberly Biss has publicly questioned COVID-19 vaccine effects and cited changes she reported seeing in patients' menstrual cycles and pregnancy outcomes. - Dr. Adam Urato has raised concerns about vaccines given during pregnancy and petitioned the FDA regarding warnings for a class of antidepressants (SSRIs) in pregnancy. - Kennedy said the new members bring relevant credentials and experience; HHS referred questions about past statements to a press release. Summary: The appointments add two clinicians who have publicly questioned prevailing medical views on vaccines and antidepressant use in pregnancy to the CDC advisory group that recommends immunization guidance. Undetermined at this time.