Offit, long-serving vaccine scientist, says he was not given a reason for dismissal after initially being offered extension
Paul Offit, a vocal critic of Robert F Kennedy Jr, has been removed from the advisory committee on vaccines for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as Kennedy continues undercutting scientific expertise at federal agencies.
Offit has said that Americans can no longer trust the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention because of the decisions taken by Kennedy as secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Offit has also warned that Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine activist, is attempting to sow doubt and confusion about vaccines in particular in order to drive down vaccination rates across the country.
Beginning in 2017, Offit served two four-year terms on the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biologics Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC). He said he was offered a third term, set to expire in 2027, by FDA officials.
Offit filled out the necessary paperwork, and was put on the list of voting VRBPAC members through 2027.
