Ex-CDC Director: RFK Jr.’s Anti-Vaccine Views Influence Agency Policy
▼ Summary
– Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to roll back children’s vaccine access and has refused to consult CDC scientists on evidence-based recommendations.
– Former CDC director Susan Monarez testified she was fired for refusing to preapprove changes to vaccine guidelines without scientific support.
– Monarez also refused Kennedy’s demand to fire CDC scientific leadership without cause, as stated in her testimony.
– Debra Houry, former CDC chief medical officer, resigned in protest, accusing Kennedy of censoring science and spreading misinformation.
– Kennedy has disputed these claims, asserting he fired Monarez because she answered “no” when asked if she was trustworthy, which Monarez denies.
Former CDC Director Susan Monarez delivered stark testimony before a Senate committee, alleging that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has actively sought to undermine evidence-based vaccine policies. Monarez, who served briefly as the agency’s director before her abrupt dismissal, claimed she was removed for refusing to comply with directives that would have compromised scientific integrity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Appearing alongside former CDC Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, Monarez described a deeply troubling environment under Kennedy’s leadership. She testified that Kennedy demanded she pre-approve changes to childhood vaccine recommendations without requiring scientific evidence to support those alterations. Additionally, she stated she was instructed to terminate senior scientific staff without justification, requests she firmly declined.
Houry, who resigned in protest following Monarez’s removal, corroborated these concerns. She emphasized that Kennedy has consistently disregarded expert input, suppressed scientific dialogue, and promoted misinformation regarding vaccine safety and efficacy. Both officials expressed alarm over what they perceive as a deliberate campaign to erode public trust in established immunization programs.
Their statements directly contradict Kennedy’s own testimony earlier this month, in which he denied pressuring Monarez to alter vaccine guidelines and instead attributed her dismissal to an alleged lack of trustworthiness. During the recent hearing, Monarez firmly rebutted these claims, insisting that the real reason for her termination was her refusal to bypass scientific protocols. She pointed to a specific meeting on August 25 where these demands were explicitly made.
The ongoing conflict raises serious questions about the independence of public health institutions and the role of scientific evidence in shaping policy. With two high-level departures in rapid succession and allegations of political interference, the credibility of the nation’s premier public health agency appears to be at stake.
(Source: Ars Technica)