In a significant shift within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Trump administration has appointed Jim ONeill, a prominent deputy to RFK Jr., as the acting CDC Director.<
This decision follows the abrupt removal of Dr. Susan Monarez from the position, a move confirmed by both The Washington Post and the Associated Press.
According to The Washington Post, Dr. Monarez's exit was influenced by RFK Jr.'s advocacy for altering vaccine policies. Despite her dismissal, Dr. Monarez, through her legal representatives, expressed her refusal to resign, highlighting her commitment to public health over political pressures.
Her attorneys stated, When CDC Director Susan Monarez refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts, she chose protecting the public over serving a political agenda. For that, she has been targeted, as reported by the Associated Press.
They further warned, This is not about one official. It is about the systematic dismantling of public health institutions, the silencing of experts, and the dangerous politicization of science. The attack on Dr. Monarez is a warning to every American: our evidence-based systems are being undermined from within.
The fallout from Dr. Monarez's departure has been swift, with three senior CDC officials resigning, as noted by The Hill and PBS. Among them are Demetre Daskalakis, Daniel Jernigan, and Deb Houry.
Daskalakis, known for his role during the monkeypox outbreak, expressed his concerns in an email obtained by The Hill, stating, I am not able to serve in this role any longer because of the ongoing weaponizing of public health.
This development raises questions about the future direction of the CDC and the implications for public health policy, particularly in the context of vaccine administration and scientific integrity.
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