The 17 members of the CDC's vaccine advisory committee, who were ousted last week, argued their abrupt dismissal has "left the U.S. vaccine program critically weakened."

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to overhaul a key committee on vaccine policy has left the country’s vaccine infrastructure “critically weakened,” former members of the group said in a piece published in JAMA on Monday.

Kennedy, Jr. announced eight new members, including a physician criticized for spreading COVID-19 misinformation and conspiracy theories. Vaccine experts warned Kennedy's abrupt termination of the entire committee on June 9 would create public distrust around the government's role in promoting public health.