Controversial Vaccine Skeptic Appointed Chief Science Officer at HHS

WASHINGTON – The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on Monday that Martin Kulldorff, a Swedish-American biostatistician and prominent critic of vaccines, has been appointed chief science officer for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.

Kulldorff gained international attention during the COVID-19 pandemic as co-author of “The Great Barrington Declaration.” The declaration advocated for relying on natural immunity through selective group exposure rather than broad vaccination programs. His role at HHS marks what many observers see as a continued effort by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reshape federal public health policy according to his views.

Kennedy previously installed several vaccine skeptics within the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), revamping its composition earlier in the year, with one critic citing refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine as a reason for being dismissed from his Harvard Medical School position.

In Monday’s statement regarding Kulldorff’s appointment, Kennedy expressed praise for the scientist and highlighted what he termed “gold-standard science,” while also positioning this move within his broader “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. A transition is occurring with Kirk Milhoan set to take over as chair of ACIP; Milhoan too holds vaccine skepticism views.

Kulldorff himself issued a statement accepting the position at HHS, expressing honor and looking forward to contributing alongside what he described as a distinguished team under Kennedy’s leadership.

This latest development adds another layer to ongoing debates surrounding U.S. public health policy directions amidst persistent discussions over vaccination programs both during and beyond the COVID-19 era.