She’s Been Anti-Vax Longer Than RFK Jr: Meet the Controversial Nurse Now Shaping US Vaccine Policy
How a decades-long vaccine skeptic landed a seat on America’s top immunization panel — and why it’s causing shockwaves
In a move that has stunned the medical community and reignited America’s vaccine debate, Vicky Pebsworth, a registered nurse known for her long-standing opposition to vaccines, has been appointed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Her appointment is part of a sweeping reshuffle orchestrated by Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a leading figure in the vaccine-skeptic movement and a key Trump ally. Pebsworth’s anti-vaccine advocacy dates back longer than RFK Jr’s own crusade, sparking concerns about the future direction of US vaccine policy.
A Nurse With a Mission: Pebsworth’s Journey From Autism Claims to National Influence
Vicky Pebsworth’s story begins in 1998, when she publicly asserted that vaccines caused her son’s autism — a claim debunked by decades of scientific research.
Pebsworth, who holds a doctorate in nursing and has taught college-level research courses, made this belief central to her identity. She served as volunteer research director for the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) since 2006 — an organization described by experts as the birthplace of the modern US anti-vaccine movement.
Despite her credentials, Pebsworth’s views have consistently flown in the face of evidence. Large-scale studies have repeatedly found no link between vaccines and autism. Yet Pebsworth remained a leading voice in a movement that opposed vaccine mandates, questioned preservative safety, and fueled public hesitancy.
RFK Jr’s Shake-Up: How ACIP Became Ground Zero for Vaccine Skeptics
In June 2025, Kennedy took the unprecedented step of firing all 17 members of ACIP, replacing them with allies who share his distrust of vaccines.
Experts see this as part of a broader effort to embed anti-vaccine ideology into federal health policy. Pebsworth’s appointment, according to critics, reflects this agenda. “She’s probably been anti-vax longer than RFK has,” noted Dr. David Gorski, a professor at Wayne State University and a longtime observer of vaccine misinformation.
The new ACIP wasted no time in making waves: In its first meeting, members voted against recommending flu vaccines containing thimerosal, a preservative used safely for decades. Pebsworth abstained — but not because she supports flu vaccines. Instead, she said she preferred to vote separately on the broader question of whether to recommend the shots at all.
Decades of Advocacy: Pebsworth’s Role in the Anti-Vaccine Movement
Pebsworth’s activism extends far beyond committee meetings. She organized early-2000s conferences promoting alternative autism treatments, including restrictive diets and chelation therapy — neither of which has proven effective.
Her alliance with RFK Jr dates back years. Both have led legal challenges to vaccine mandates, including a 2020 lawsuit opposing Covid-19 vaccine requirements. In court filings, Pebsworth echoed a frequent anti-vax talking point: that the rise in vaccines corresponds with rising chronic illness — an assertion lacking scientific basis.
Pebsworth’s public testimony has been equally consistent. From opposing school meningitis vaccine requirements in 2017 to warning about Covid-19 vaccine risks in 2020, she’s been a relentless critic of federal vaccination efforts.
The Politics Behind the Science: How Vaccine Skepticism Became a Rightwing Cause
Experts say the anti-vaccine movement has evolved. Where once it attracted supporters across the political spectrum, it is now firmly part of rightwing ideology.
“I used to call anti-vax the pseudoscience that spanned the political spectrum — left and right,” said Dr. Gorski. “Now, it’s really built into the right. You can’t deny that anymore.”
RFK Jr’s appointment of Pebsworth reflects this shift. His goal, critics argue, is to turn fringe beliefs into federal policy. Pebsworth’s presence on ACIP gives vaccine skeptics a powerful platform at the heart of US health policy.
What This Means for US Vaccine Policy
Pebsworth’s appointment comes at a delicate time. The US continues to battle vaccine hesitancy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and faces renewed measles outbreaks — a disease once considered eliminated in the country.
So far, anti-vaccine groups have failed to achieve their biggest goals, like eliminating school vaccine mandates. But their presence on federal panels could undermine public trust in vaccines, warn experts.
Despite the noise, public support for vaccine requirements remains strong, though somewhat eroded since the pandemic. “Legislators know they’re hearing from a vocal minority,” said a state vaccine law expert. “Most Americans still understand the importance of these laws.”
The Future of ACIP Under Pebsworth and RFK Jr
With Pebsworth and other vaccine skeptics now shaping ACIP recommendations, the stakes are high. Their influence could affect everything from routine childhood immunizations to emergency responses in future pandemics.
The question is whether science or ideology will guide ACIP’s future decisions — and whether the medical community can protect public health from the surge of misinformation.
