HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a bold “clean sweep” of the CDC’s advisory committee on the childhood vaccination schedule on Monday, targeting all staff tied to Big Pharma. The move aims to restore public trust in health policy by eliminating perceived conflicts of interest.

In a statement, the HHS confirmed that all 17 members of the committee have been removed from their positions. This drastic action reflects Kennedy’s commitment to overhauling the influence of pharmaceutical companies within federal health agencies, setting the stage for a contentious restructuring of vaccine policy advisory roles.

“Today we are prioritizing the restoration of public trust above any specific pro- or anti-vaccine agenda,” Kennedy declared in a statement. “The public must know that unbiased science—evaluated through a transparent process and insulated from conflicts of interest—guides the recommendations of our health agencies.”

Ijr.com reports: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is made up of outside scientists who discuss epidemiological studies, weigh the benefits and side effects reported in clinical trials and make recommendations to the CDC on the routine vaccination schedules for children and adults. Meetings are open to the public.

The ACIP’s recommendations inform which shots are reimbursed by health plans.

The ACIP became a flashpoint for controversy during the COVID-19 pandemic, reenergizing concerns about payments that advisors receive from the drugmakers the panel oversees. HHS in March announced a new tool that allows users to search which advisors reported potential conflicts of interest with the pharmaceutical industry.

Instead, the press release raises concerns about the entirety of the ACIP having been appointed by the Biden administration. Without the shakeup, the committee would not have been comprised of Trump appointees until 2028, according to HHS.

ACIP members are selected by the HHS secretary and can serve for up to four years, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The next ACIP meeting is scheduled to occur from June 25 to June 27. It’s not clear whether the committee will discuss a recently-released Food and Drug Administration framework for COVID-19 booster shots requiring new clinical trials to support their use in people without comorbid conditions, putting them at risk of severe disease or death.