The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has appointed Retsef Levi, a known vaccine skeptic, to lead its COVID-19 immunization task force. Levi, a member of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices , has previously expressed strong skepticism about mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, claiming they can cause serious harm and even death, particularly among children, and has called for their removal.
This appointment follows significant changes in CDC leadership after Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. dismissed all 17 former ACIP members in June. The COVID-19 immunization task force is responsible for evaluating the safety, effectiveness, and immune response of authorized vaccines. Recently, the CDC modified its recommendations, allowing healthy children between six months and 17 years to be vaccinated based on mutual agreement between parents and doctors, while withdrawing its endorsement of vaccinating pregnant women.
Levi's appointment has raised concerns among public health experts, given his controversial stance on vaccines. The CDC's decision was confirmed by a health department spokesperson, and Bloomberg News was the first to report on the development. Levi did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
The CDC's decision to appoint Levi is part of a broader effort to reshape the agency's approach to immunization. The task force is expected to review existing vaccine recommendations and consider new evidence to inform future guidance. The appointment has sparked debate over the balance between scientific consensus and individual perspectives within public health policy.
As the task force begins its work, stakeholders from various sectors, including healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public, are closely monitoring developments. The outcome of the task force's evaluations could have significant implications for vaccination strategies and public health initiatives in the United States.
