Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made headlines with his recent selection of members for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), but the panel’s debut was marred by controversy when one member stepped down just before its first meeting.
Dr. Michael Ross Steps Down
Dr. Michael Ross, one of Kennedy’s picks for the ACIP, unexpectedly withdrew before the committee’s inaugural meeting on Wednesday. He was among the eight individuals Kennedy selected after firing the previous 17 members of the panel.
Initially, Kennedy described Ross as a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at George Washington University and Virginia Commonwealth University. However, an investigation by News4 revealed that Ross hadn’t worked at either of these institutions in years.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a statement saying Ross withdrew during a mandatory review of his financial holdings but provided no further details about what those holdings might be.
An online search revealed that Ross is listed as an operating partner at Havencrest, a private equity firm, where his bio mentions he serves on boards of multiple private healthcare companies.
Confusion Over Dr. Ross’s Academic Affiliation
The confusion surrounding Dr. Ross’s qualifications was further deepened when a spokesperson for George Washington University confirmed that Ross hadn’t taught there in eight years, while Virginia Commonwealth University stated that he hadn’t worked at their institution for four years.
This discrepancy raised questions about his academic credentials, which were central to his selection for the advisory panel.
Other ACIP Members and Vaccine Criticism
Kennedy’s choices for the ACIP have sparked additional debate, particularly with the inclusion of Martin Kulldorff, a well-known vaccine critic.
Kulldorff was one of the authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, which argued against strict pandemic lockdowns and advocated for allowing low-risk individuals to be exposed to Covid-19.
During the first meeting, Kulldorff, who now serves as the chair of the ACIP, addressed the criticism of the new members.
He expressed frustration over the media’s portrayal of the committee, accusing them of falsely labeling scientists as either pro- or anti-vaccine. He argued that such labels hurt scientific inquiry and fueled vaccine hesitancy.
Kulldorff also spoke out against the decision to temporarily pause the Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine rollout in 2021 due to reports of rare blood clots.
He criticized the move, stating that it was inappropriate, especially considering the vaccine shortage and the number of deaths occurring at the time.
The first meeting of the new ACIP under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Martin Kulldorff’s leadership has already been filled with controversy and confusion.
With members like Dr. Ross stepping down and concerns about the qualifications and positions of others, it remains to be seen how this new committee will shape vaccine policy in the future.
