Italy’s populist coalition has plunged its already confusing stance on vaccines into greater uncertainty by sacking a commission of health experts.

The decision was announced by Giulia Grillo, the health minister, who said it was “time to make room” for new people on the commission, which governments normally turn to for health advice.

“We are the government of change,” she said. “I have chosen to open the door to other deserving personalities.”

But it was not clear who the replacements might be.

The government, which is made up of the hard-Right League and the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, has sent out confusing signals about health policies, and in particular the importance of vaccinations, since it came to power in June.

Both parties have been accused of peddling conspiracy theories about the supposed risks of having vaccinations.

Matteo Salvini, the interior minister and deputy prime minister, has called them “useless and in many cases dangerous,” playing on discredited claims that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab can cause autism.

The sacking of the health commission was met with consternation by health experts and criticism from opposition parties.

Italy already has one of the worst records on measles cases and deaths from superbug infections in Europe.