Statement
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced the appointment of two new members to the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). These appointments reflect the commitment of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to transparency, rigorous science, and diverse clinical expertise in guiding the nation's immunization policies. In June 2025, Secretary Kennedy reconstituted ACIP to restore public trust in vaccines.
The two new members are:
Sean G. Downing, M.D., physician specializing in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Dr. Downing is a Florida-licensed physician who has practiced primary care across the lifespan for more than two decades, including internal medicine and pediatric concierge care in Sarasota, Florida, with admission privileges at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He previously served as an outpatient primary care physician for medically uninsured patients in Nashua, New Hampshire, and also worked part-time in emergency/urgent care settings. Dr. Downing completed a combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics residency at Brown University and earned his M.D. from Georgetown University School of Medicine, with additional graduate training in physiology and pharmacology.
Angelina Farella, M.D., pediatrician and owner of A Brighter Tomorrow Family Health and Wellness in Webster, Texas. Dr. Farella has practiced pediatric care for more than two decades, including leading her own practice since 2004 and serving in a range of clinical roles spanning private practice, pediatric urgent care, and locum tenens work. She completed pediatric residency training at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), including service as Pediatric Chief Resident, and held academic appointments including Clinical Assistant Professor at UTMB and Adjunct Clinical Professor at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Farella earned her M.D. with honors from Ross University School of Medicine and her B.A. in Biology from Rutgers University.
"ACIP must scrutinize the evidence openly, ask hard questions, and earn the nation's confidence through transparent deliberation," Secretary Kennedy said. "Dr. Downing and Dr. Farella bring decades of real-world experience caring for children, adults, and families—and that frontline perspective is essential to making recommendations that are grounded in gold-standard science and worthy of public trust."
"Public health works best when the science is rigorous and the process is transparent," said CDC Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD. "These appointments strengthen ACIP with experienced clinicians who understand how immunization guidance matters for patients and families."
ACIP provides recommendations to the CDC Director and HHS Secretary on the use of immunizations for the control of vaccine-preventable diseases in the civilian population of the United States.
Facts Only
Two new members appointed to ACIP: Sean G. Downing, M.D., Angelina Farella, M.D.
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reconstituted ACIP in June 2025 to restore public trust in vaccines
Dr. Downing is a Florida-licensed physician with primary care experience across the lifespan and admission privileges at Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Dr. Farella has practiced pediatric care for more than two decades, owns A Brighter Tomorrow Family Health and Wellness, and holds academic appointments
Executive Summary
The U.S. Department of Health and Health Services (HHS) has appointed two new members to the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The appointments were made in line with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s commitment to transparency, rigorous science, and diverse clinical expertise in guiding immunization policies. ACIP was reconstituted by Kennedy in June 2025 to restore public trust in vaccines.
The two new members are: Sean G. Downing, M.D., a Florida-licensed physician with over two decades of primary care experience, and Angelina Farella, M.D., a pediatrician who has been practicing for more than two decades and owns A Brighter Tomorrow Family Health and Wellness in Webster, Texas.
Secretary Kennedy stated that ACIP should scrutinize evidence openly, ask hard questions, and earn the nation's confidence through transparent deliberation. CDC Acting Director Jay Bhattacharya agreed, stating that these appointments strengthen ACIP with experienced clinicians who understand how immunization guidance matters for patients and families.
Full Take
The appointments of Sean G. Downing and Angelina Farella to the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) signal a renewed focus on transparency and rigorous science in guiding immunization policies, as directed by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The new members bring decades of clinical experience caring for children, adults, and families, which Kennedy believes is essential for making recommendations grounded in gold-standard science and worthy of public trust.
However, the appointment process and its motivations remain unclear, as does the impact of these changes on the broader debate about vaccines and public health policy. The appointments may be seen as an attempt to address concerns about vaccine skepticism, but they could also potentially polarize the issue further.
Questions to consider: What factors led to these specific appointments? How might these appointments influence the ongoing discussion about vaccines and public health policy? What perspectives are missing from this narrative? What would change your mind about the implications of these appointments?
Sentinel — Human
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