RFK Jr.'s associate, lawyer opposed to vaccines, to update CDC on vaccine meeting

The CDCs vaccine advisory committee has sparked controversy by inviting Aaron Siri, a lawyer known for opposing vaccines and an associate of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to brief its panel on Friday. This decision has drawn criticism from Kennedys prominent Republican opponent on Capitol Hill.

Siri, who has represented Kennedy in legal matters, is set to speak on the childhood immunization schedule during the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting in Atlanta. According to the agenda released Thursday, his presentation will discuss the "Evolution of the Childhood/Adolescent Vaccination Schedule" and compare vaccination schedules in the U.S. with other developed nations. The content of the presentation has not yet been made public.

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, criticized the decision on X, questioning both Siris qualifications and ACIPs credibility. Aaron Siri is a trial lawyer whose career focuses on suing vaccine manufacturers. He is presenting as if he is an expert on childhood vaccines, Cassidy stated. This undermines ACIPs role in protecting children.

In response, Siri challenged Cassidy to a public debate, arguing that childhood vaccines are uniquely shielded from lawsuits. If vaccines are truly safe, why do they require this legal protection? he posted. While vaccine manufacturers are generally protected from liability, families may pursue claims through the federal vaccine court, though the 2011 Supreme Court ruling makes it harder to prove a vaccine was defectively designed.

Siri has previously advised Kennedy on transition team matters. His firm, Siri & Glimstad, has provided substantial legal work for the Informed Consent Action Network, a nonprofit led by anti-vaccine activist Del Bigtree. The firm also represents clients seeking compensation for alleged vaccine injuries through federal programs and class-action lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies.

This briefing reflects a broader shift at ACIP, which was reorganized by Kennedy in June to include a majority of members with vaccine-skeptical views. Previous meetings in June and September were marked by controversy and criticism from public health experts over the quality of the data presented.

Siri has also petitioned the FDA to reconsider approvals or pause distribution of certain vaccines, including polio and hepatitis B vaccines, citing concerns over safety testing. Additionally, his firm requested updated labeling for acetaminophen (Tylenol) to warn of potential risks for ADHD and autism spectrum disorder following prenatal use. While some studies suggest a link, evidence remains inconclusive and no causal relationship has been established.

Author: Caleb Jennings