The eight new ACIP members met for the first time June 25 after Kennedy fired all 17 original members of the committee June 9.

The votes in favor of Merck's shot are a sigh of relief after Kennedy gutted the panel and tapped replacements, some of whom are well-known vaccine critics.

RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel endorsed Merck’s RSV shot for babies, easing fears that his stance might delay rollout.