A lawyer widely known for his opposition to vaccines sparked widespread outrage after speaking at a meeting of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s top vaccine advisory committee on Friday a move public health experts say undermines decades of science-based guidance.
Attorney Aaron Siri, who has repeatedly sued federal and state health agencies, previously served as legal counsel to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine skeptic. His invitation to address the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) marked a highly unusual and controversial departure from the panel’s traditional reliance on medical experts.
Siri Challenges Childhood Vaccine Safety in Two Hour Presentation
During his lengthy presentation, Siri questioned the safety of the childhood immunization schedule, citing what he described as concerning side effects from routine vaccines. He focused particularly on vaccines for hepatitis B, pneumococcal disease, and the combined diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) shot.
Siri has previously advocated for the FDA to revoke approval of the polio vaccine another position that has drawn heavy criticism from the medical community.
Medical Ethicists and Doctors Condemn “Ideological” Messaging
Dr. Art Caplan, director of medical ethics at NYU Langone Medical Center, warned that Siri’s role in the meeting suggested the committee was embracing ideology over science.
“This looks like a panel trying to reach a predetermined outcome potentially dismantling childhood vaccination,” Caplan said. “This is a scientific matter, and Siri is the wrong person with the wrong conflicts and the wrong information.”
Debunked Autism Claims Resurface
Siri reiterated the long disproven claim that early childhood vaccines may be linked to autism, asserting that no studies exist to disprove the connection.
“If you’re going to say vaccines don’t cause autism, you must have the data,” Siri told the panel.
However, decades of research directly contradict his claim. Large-scale global studies including extensive reviews of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine have consistently found no link between vaccines and autism. A Danish study published earlier this year found no connection between aluminum exposure from vaccines and developmental disorders. A 2021 review of 138 studies confirmed the same conclusion.
Dispute Over Vaccine Trial Safety Testing
Siri further argued that many vaccines were not properly tested using inert placebos such as saline before approval.
Dr. Jake Scott, an infectious disease specialist at Stanford Medicine, refuted this claim, stating that hundreds of randomized controlled trials using inert placebos do exist.
“This is a talking point, not a fact,” Scott said. “These trials are published in major medical journals.”
Former CDC Advisor Publicly Rebukes Presentation
Dr. Cody Meissner, a pediatrician and former ACIP member, openly criticized Siri during the meeting.
“These statements about vaccine safety are outrageous,” Meissner said. “Frankly, I don’t believe this presentation should have been allowed.”
Controversial Policy Shift on Hepatitis B Vaccine
The heated reaction followed an already chaotic week for the advisory committee. Earlier this week, the panel voted to reverse the long-standing recommendation for all newborns to receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
Under the updated guidance, newborns of hepatitis B–negative mothers may delay vaccination following consultation with a healthcare provider a dramatic shift from decades of public health policy.
Political Shake-Up of the Advisory Panel
In June, Kennedy dismissed the committee’s previous members, claiming they had persistent conflicts of interest. They were replaced with new advisers who have largely expressed skepticism toward vaccines a move that has alarmed public health leaders.
Siri Discloses Active Lawsuits Against Federal Health Agencies
Siri acknowledged numerous ongoing lawsuits against the Department of Health and Human Services and related agencies. These include cases involving Covid-19 vaccine mandates, exemption requests, and alleged vaccine injuries. He has previously sued the CDC to demand data related to autism research.
Leading Vaccine Experts Decline to Participate
Siri said he was invited to speak alongside Dr. Paul Offit of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Dr. Peter Hotez of Texas Children’s Hospital. Both declined.