US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s contentious actions against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have drawn global scrutiny, with recent events highlighting deep divisions over public health governance. His fiery Senate testimony this week, coming days after he fired CDC Director Susan Monarez, has sparked a backlash from health professionals and raised alarms about the agency’s future.
During the hearing, Kennedy defended his decision to dismiss Monarez, claiming she admitted to being untrustworthy when questioned, though this was met with disbelief by senators. The firing, which occurred just 29 days into her tenure, led to a wave of resignations among top CDC officials, including the chief medical officer and directors of immunization and emerging diseases. This exodus follows earlier staff reductions under the Trump administration, which cut around 2,000 positions, further straining the agency’s capacity.
Kennedy’s approach is rooted in his long-standing skepticism of vaccines, dating back to his leadership of Children’s Health Defense, a group that questioned vaccine safety. Shortly after taking office in February, he hired vaccine critic David Geier to re-examine data on autism links, a theory debunked by scientific studies. In June, he fired the entire Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, accusing members of conflicts of interest, and replaced them with a handpicked panel that now holds significant influence over vaccine recommendations.
The new committee has the power to alter or drop critical immunization advice, though the CDC retains final approval. Monarez alleged in a published article that she was fired for refusing to pre-approve the panel’s decisions, which she said were influenced by anti-vaccine rhetoric. Kennedy denied these claims during his testimony, describing her dismissal as necessary to install leadership willing to overhaul what he called the “most corrupt” agency in government.
Critics, including former CDC staff, warn that these changes endanger public health by undermining evidence-based practices. Dr. Fiona Havers, a senior vaccine researcher who resigned in June, expressed concern that data is not being used scientifically, compromising integrity. Additionally, Kennedy’s response to a recent shooting at the CDC headquarters—where a gunman, motivated by vaccine beliefs, killed a police officer—was criticized as inadequate, though he paid tribute to the officer during his testimony.
Interim CDC Director Jim O’Neill, a Kennedy adviser with a business background, has promised to restore trust, accusing past administrations of manipulating health data. However, experts like Anthony Costello, a former World Health Organization director, fear that political interference could have global consequences, as the CDC has historically led responses to health crises such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
The next critical point will be the new vaccine panel’s meeting on September 18 to discuss COVID-19 and other vaccines like hepatitis B and RSV. Its recommendations will be closely watched worldwide, potentially affecting immunization programs and pandemic preparedness. This situation underscores the tension between political agendas and scientific integrity, with significant implications for health policy both in the US and internationally.