Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have announced the appointment of two new members to the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This move reflects HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s commitment to transparency, rigorous science, and diverse clinical expertise in guiding national immunization policies.
Secretary Kennedy reconstituted ACIP in June 2025 to help restore public trust in vaccines. The newly appointed members are Dr. Sean G. Downing, a Florida-licensed physician specializing in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics with over two decades of clinical experience, and Dr. Angelina Farella, a Texas pediatrician with more than twenty years in pediatric care and leadership since 2004.
Dr. Downing completed his residency at Brown University and earned his M.D. from Georgetown University School of Medicine, with additional graduate training. Dr. Farella trained at the University of Texas Medical Branch and holds academic appointments. Their combined clinical perspectives are intended to strengthen ACIP's commitment to science and public trust.
CDC Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, noted that public health benefits when science is rigorous and the process is transparent, and that these appointments add experienced clinicians who understand the impact of immunization guidance on patients and families.
ACIP provides recommendations that influence vaccine use and policy in the United States, with the ongoing goal of protecting public health.