Kennedy's recent orders have included narrowing vaccine guidance to exclude children and pregnant women without underlying health conditions, bypassing the traditional ACIP deliberation process.

The new ACIP panel's upcoming meeting will be crucial as it prepares to vote on updated recommendations for COVID-19 and RSV vaccines, amidst growing concerns about its impartiality.

Her resignation follows that of Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos, another CDC coronavirus vaccine adviser, amid concerns regarding the agency's new direction under Robert Kennedy Jr.

In June 2025, Kennedy dismissed all existing ACIP members and replaced them with individuals aligned with his views, raising concerns about the integrity of vaccine recommendations.

In response to the ongoing changes, a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Human Services asserted the agency's commitment to using 'gold standard science' to inform vaccine policy based on objective data.

An anonymous infectious disease researcher described Havers' resignation as part of the ongoing 'dismantling' of the CDC's expertise, calling it a significant loss for the agency.

Dr. Fiona Havers, a key CDC official overseeing COVID-19 and RSV hospitalization data, resigned on June 16, 2025, citing a lack of confidence in the objectivity and scientific rigor of data used for vaccine policy decisions.

Having been with the CDC for 13 years, Havers played a crucial role in shaping vaccine policy through her data presentations at the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) since 2020.

In her resignation email, Havers noted that her team's data had supported over 20 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 15 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports from the CDC.

Melinda Wharton, the top CDC vaccine official responsible for ACIP operations, was also removed from her position, indicating a significant shift in the agency's vaccine strategy.

The newly formed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is set to meet from June 25-27, 2025, to discuss and vote on updated recommendations for COVID-19 boosters and other vaccines.

Former ACIP members have condemned Kennedy's actions, warning that they could jeopardize U.S. immunization policies and access to vaccines, as highlighted in a recent Journal of the American Medical Association article.