WASHINGTON — Federal health officials announced the appointment of five new members to a panel of vaccine advisers handpicked by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday, just days ahead of the group’s next meeting . They include an infectious disease expert who has pushed back on Covid-19 mandates and another who advocated for alternative, unproven treatments for Covid, including ivermectin.

STAT previously reported that the appointees were under consideration. Now, with their appointments, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is up to 12 members, a few short of the panel Kennedy dismissed in June, saying the move was necessary to restore trust in vaccines .

The ACIP is scheduled to meet on Thursday and Friday in Atlanta to consider and vote o

See Full Page