As the new school year approached, families expected familiar guidance on vaccines. What they got instead was upheaval: Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all 17 members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—the body whose recommendations form the basis for state immunization mandates.

This fall, as families gear up to meet school immunization requirements, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. quietly launched a dramatic reshaping of U.S. vaccine guidance. Despite assuring senators he’d maintain the independence of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) during his confirmation, Kennedy dismissed all 17 expert members of the CDC’s ACIP in June 2025—a move widely criticized as political and destabilizing. He presented it, however, as necessary to “restore public trust” and rid the committee of pharmaceutical influence.

Just days later, eight new members were named—though one withdrew amid ethics concerns. Unlike their predecessors, this panel includes only one epidemiologist and one infectious disease specialist, with no virologists or immunologists. Many appointees lack peer-reviewed vaccine research altogether, and those who do have published, on average, 78% fewer vaccine-related papers than former members.

Within hours of the overhaul, leaders from nearly 100 medical groups—including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics—warned that the dismissals could sow confusion among doctors and patients, ultimately increasing preventable illnesses.

Several states—including Colorado, New York, and Massachusetts—are now advancing legislation to ensure vaccine insurance coverage regardless of shifts in ACIP recommendations. At the same time, independent groups like the Vaccine Integrity Project and organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are stepping in with their own evidence-based guidelines.

List of RFK Jr.'s New Vaccine Advisory Panel Members

Here’s a closer look at the individuals now shaping the future of U.S. immunization guidance:

Robert W. Malone, MD – Physician and Biochemist

Dr. Robert Malone is widely recognized as a polarizing figure in the vaccine debate. A physician and biochemist, Malone has publicly claimed to have contributed to the foundational research that led to mRNA vaccine technology, though many scientists dispute the extent of his role. In recent years, he emerged as a prominent skeptic of COVID-19 vaccine safety and a central voice in misinformation campaigns during the pandemic.

His statements have repeatedly landed him in hot water with the medical community. Notably, he was criticized for publicly denying that Daisy Hildebrand, an 8-year-old girl, died of measles—despite confirmation from her family and medical professionals. Critics argue that his inclusion on the new panel undermines credibility, particularly given his history of promoting unverified claims through high-traffic media appearances and social media platforms.

Joseph R. Hibbeln, MD – Psychiatrist and Neuroscientist

Dr. Hibbeln, a psychiatrist and nutritional neuroscientist, spent nearly three decades at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he led research on the role of omega-3 fatty acids in mental health. Though respected for his work in nutritional psychiatry, Hibbeln has no formal background in virology, immunology, or vaccine development.

His appointment raised eyebrows further after Reuters reported his involvement as an expert witness in a lawsuit against Merck over its human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine—litigation that also has ties to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s broader vaccine-critical advocacy efforts. While his clinical credentials are solid, his experience with vaccine policy is limited.

Martin Kulldorff, PhD – Biostatistician and Epidemiologist

Among the more experienced appointees, Dr. Martin Kulldorff is a biostatistician known for his role in developing vaccine safety surveillance tools at the CDC. He has previously served on the FDA’s Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee and was part of the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Technical Work Group.

However, Kulldorff gained national attention—and sharp criticism—for co-authoring the Great Barrington Declaration, an open letter that argued against pandemic lockdowns and supported herd immunity through natural infection. His outspoken opposition to school closures and COVID-19 mandates eventually led to his dismissal from Harvard’s faculty. Though undeniably experienced in data analysis and public health, his stance during the pandemic has made him a polarizing figure in vaccine discourse.

Retsef Levi, PhD – Operations Management Professor

Dr. Retsef Levi, a professor at MIT Sloan School of Management, holds a doctorate in operations research and has worked extensively in systems optimization and supply chain logistics. However, he is not a medical doctor and lacks formal training in immunology or infectious disease.

Levi has been an outspoken critic of mRNA vaccines, publicly claiming in early 2023 that the technology posed "indisputable" risks—including death, especially in younger populations. He called for their immediate suspension, drawing widespread criticism from scientific institutions. His appointment to the committee suggests a shift toward elevating voices that challenge the scientific consensus, raising concerns about evidence-based decision-making.

Cody Meissner, MD – Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist

Among the few on the panel with direct vaccine expertise, Dr. Cody Meissner is a well-respected pediatric infectious disease expert and professor at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine. He has served as chief of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Division at Tufts Medical Center and held a seat on the prior ACIP panel, giving him insider knowledge of how immunization policies are formed.

Despite his qualifications, Meissner has also drawn criticism for his opposition to masking mandates and COVID-19 vaccine requirements for children during the pandemic. Still, he stands out as the panel’s most credentialed expert. Notably, he was the only member of the newly reformed committee to vote against rescinding recommendations for flu vaccines that contain thimerosal—a preservative that some skeptics claim is linked to autism, a theory repeatedly debunked by decades of research.

Vicky Pebsworth, RN, PhD – Registered Nurse and Vaccine Safety Advocate

Dr. Vicky Pebsworth brings over 45 years of nursing experience and has previously served on the FDA’s Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee. She currently sits on the board of the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), a controversial group known for promoting vaccine injury awareness and advocating for personal belief exemptions.

Pebsworth’s views are informed in part by personal experience: her son reportedly suffered serious long-term health issues following vaccination. Her role with the NVIC and emphasis on vaccine injury prevention raise questions about bias, though Kennedy has pointed to such perspectives as “essential for reestablishing balance” in vaccine discussions.

James Pagano, MD – Emergency Physician

Dr. James Pagano is an emergency room physician who has served on various hospital committees related to critical care and medical utilization. Unlike others on the panel, Pagano does not have a background in epidemiology, virology, or public health, nor does he appear to have any published research on vaccines.

His role on the advisory panel seems to reflect Kennedy’s broader strategy of diversifying input beyond traditional academic or government sources, though critics argue this risks sidelining science in favor of anecdote.

The previous panel's inaugural June meeting was marked by confusion and controversy. Key proposals under consideration included the removal of thimerosal from flu vaccines and a review of the cumulative childhood immunization schedule—topics long rejected by medical mainstream but popular among vaccine skeptics.

Presenters included anti-vaccine figures, such as Lyn Redwood of Kennedy’s own children’s health advocacy organization. Conflicts of interest and lack of published ethics reviews further marred the panel’s debut. The American Academy of Pediatrics even boycotted the meeting in protest.

• Why These Changes Are Coming At A Bad Time For US Healthcare?

The timing couldn’t be worse. The U.S. is battling its worst measles outbreak in decades, with 1,333 confirmed cases—of which 92% occurred among unvaccinated individuals.

Kennedy’s sweeping changes and public vaccine skepticism have emboldened parents to seek exemptions. Recent polls show nearly 60% of Americans are now inclined to skip COVID-19 vaccines, raising red flags for public health professionals.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s ACIP overhaul isn’t just bureaucratic—it’s deeply political. His stated objective of restoring public trust mirrors his long-standing critique of pharmaceutical influence. But replacing experts with skeptics? That risks forfeiting trust altogether.

Like swapping plane pilots at takeoff, ACIP's dismantling invites more than concern—it threatens the foundation that has long kept Americans safe from disease.

Colleen Hoover, the best-selling author of 'Regretting You' and 'Verity', has revealed that she has undergone treatment for cancer.

On January 12, Hoover announced via her Instagram Stories that she has one more day of radiation left at Texas Oncology.

"Second to last day of radiation," she captioned the post on her Instagram Stories. "I wish I could blame my hair and facial expressions on @Texas.Oncology, but they've been great. Hope you never need them, but highly recommend them."

In December 2025, the 46-year-old writer wrote on her Facebook page that she had been diagnosed with cancer and had undergone surgery. The film producer also noted that she would only need radiation, but not chemotherapy as a treatment plan.

Hoover said she had been in Canada filming Reminds of Him when she noticed she “had recurring health issues that I continued to put off until the movie was finished" and a check-up revealed that she had developed cancer.

What Kind Of Cancer Does She Have?

While she is yet to reveal which kind of cancer she is receiving treatment for, Hoover has confirmed it was not caused by family genes, HPV or excessive hormones.

In a Facebook post from January 9, she noted that the reason for her illness is 'more than likely' to be environmental/lifestyle, which can be credited to a lack of exercise, poor diet and stress.

"I’m happy and grateful to be alive but I hate vegetables. I hate when I have to get off the couch. I hate sweating. I hate when science is right. If you see me at the gym, don’t even tell me good job. If you see me at a restaurant eating grilled chicken and drinking water, I’m probably real mad about it," she wrote in a heartfelt moment.

Why Has Hoover Been Missing From Public Eye?

Hoover's health updates and cancer treatment come amid a series of cancelled public events. In October 2025, she announced she would not attend the premiere of Regretting You, her latest movie adaptation.

In a sentimental Instagram post, she told her fans: "I’m super bummed, but am having an unavoidable surgery and can’t travel for a while,” Hoover wrote in her Instagram post at the time. I’ll live vicariously through you guys. So sad to miss this movie release and premiere, but so grateful to all the actors and the team who put this together.”

Woman Down is Hoover’s next book release set for January 13. However, the author has had to tell fans that a book-signing tour has not been set up yet and she will not be meeting with the public for now.

“I wanted to make this post and be transparent about why that is. I’m not saying I won’t be up to doing at least one signing, but I just won’t know until I know," she said.

Meanwhile, throughout 2025, production on her hit novel, Verity, has begun in 2025, with Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett, being photographed during scenes last February. Additionally, her third movie adaptation, Reminders of Him, is also set to hit theaters on March 13, 2026.

It remains unknown if she will be attending the premiere for Reminders of Him.

Barbie. A name too familiar for everyone growing up, now Mattel Studio has launched its first autistic Barbie. This is after Greta Gerwig's 2023 blockbuster movie that introduced the concept of diverse characters of Barbie, that Mattel launched its first Barbie with type 1 diabetes. The studio is definite about creating a diverse range of Barbie character, as an animated Barbie film too is in the development.

Why Is The Launch Of Autistic Barbie Important?

Autistic Barbie is the latest addition to Barbie's Fashionistas range, which is designed so more children can "see themselves in Barbie". The Barbie is created in collaboration with the US charity the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. The Barbie is designed to represent the ways autistic children may have experienced, including the way they communicate.

Barbie With Autism: What Are Her Features?

The Barbie's eyes gaze slightly to one side, which could represent how some autistic people avoid direct eye contact. The Barbie also comes with completely bendable elbows and wrists, which enables her repetitive physical movements such as stimming and hand-flapping that help people with autism to process sensory information, or even express excitement.

She also holds a pink fidget spinner on her finger, which helps her reduce her stress, wears noise-cancelling headphones, also in pink, to reduce sensory overload, and carries a pink tablet with symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication buttons on its screen that helps with her everyday communication.

Barbies earlier came in one-size-fit-all, often lacking the diversity and representation, this Barbie, however, wears a loose-fitting purple pinstripe A-line dress. This has minimized fabric to skin contact, and her shoes have flat soles that promotes stability and ease of movements.

Read: Hundreds Of US Children Have Type 1 Diabetes, Now Their Barbie Has It Too

Barbie's Representation Matters

The first Barbie came in 1959, and until 2019, there were no dolls with disabilities. Now, there are Barbies with diabetes, blind dolls, and Barbies with wheelchairs, Down syndrome, prosthetic limb, vitiligo, and hearing aids. There is also a Ken doll with a prosthetic leg, and another one who uses a wheelchair with a ramp, and one with hearing aids.

Jamie Cygielman, the global head of dolls at Mattel while announcing the autistic Barbie said, "Barbie has always strived to reflect the world kids see and the possibilities they imagine, and we’re proud to introduce our first autistic Barbie as part of that ongoing work. The doll helps to expand what inclusion looks like in the toy aisle and beyond because every child deserves to see themselves in Barbie."

She also added: “We engaged with the autistic community throughout the design process, always mindful that autism is experienced differently by every individual and is not always visible. The elements of this doll reflect how some people on the spectrum may experience and express the world, and we hope that by partnering with influential voices within the community, Barbie can continue to showcase a broader range of authentic experiences.”

What Is Autism?

As per the American Psychiatric Association, ASD is a complex developmental condition involving persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests and repetitive behavior. While autism is considered a lifelong condition, the need for services and supports because of these challenges varies among individuals with autism.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated one in 36 children have been identified with ASD.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported 411 measles infections in Philippines' Northern Mindanao in 2025, which was a 11% increase from 371 cases in 2024. Health officials are now warning people that the situation may get worse in 2026, as rate of unvaccinated children in the region also rise.

In 2025, 75% of the patients were unvaccinated.

In order to prevent outbreaks, DOH-Northern Mindanao and local health offices said that they will be deploying teams to administer Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccines to children and people aged six to 59.

“There are (measles) outbreaks in various parts of the country because of low (immunization) coverage and that includes our region,” said Germaine Labadan, head of the DOH-X Family Health Cluster.

In 2025, only 56.7% of Northern Mindanao's eligible population received MR shots, which led to a herd immunity well below the target of 95%.

Cagayan de Oro, a highly urbanized city, recorded the region’s highest measles-rubella (MR) coverage at 87.21%, while Bukidnon lagged at 49.71%. Coverage in other areas remained low, with Misamis Oriental at 51.87%, Misamis Occidental at 52.05%, Iligan at 52.55%, and Camiguin at 53.73%.

As part of this year’s Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA), children will be given booster MR vaccines along with Vitamin A supplements. The 21-day campaign will run from January 19 to February 13.

“This is open to all eligible, regardless of the immunization status of the child because the vaccine serves as a booster,” Labadan said. This also includes children who completed the first and second doses. “Parents may present the immunization booklet, but it is not necessary because all will be given a new one,” she said.

What Is Measles?

Measles, also known as rubeola, is a highly contagious viral illness that typically causes fever, cough, a runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a distinctive red, blotchy rash that usually begins on the face and spreads downward. The virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or brain inflammation. Despite its severity, measles is preventable through a safe and effective vaccine, as per the Mayo Clinic.

How Contagious Is Measles?

Measles is among the most contagious diseases in the world. The virus spreads through airborne droplets that can linger in the air or on surfaces for hours. Up to 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles will become infected. A single infected person can pass the virus to an estimated 12 to 18 others through close contact or shared spaces. People can transmit the virus days before symptoms become obvious and continue spreading it after the rash appears, according to the World Health Organization.

How Long Is Someone Contagious With Measles?

Someone infected with measles can spread the virus from four days before the rash develops to four days after it appears. The virus spreads so efficiently that about 90% of people who are unvaccinated or have never had measles will become infected after being exposed.

In November, Canada lost its measles elimination status following a significant outbreak, according to the Pan American Health Organization, which works closely with the World Health Organization.

“It’s important to say that all the other 34 countries in the region, they keep their certification as measles-free,” said PAHO/WHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa at the time, as per NPR News.

U.S. health officials have also warned that genetic links between outbreaks in different states suggest continued spread.

“The trajectory that we’re looking at now is that we do anticipate more cases well into January,” Bell said. “What that means for us nationally in terms of how they are defining our designation in this country as having eliminated measles is unclear.”