On Thursday, an advisory panel of the CDC met over two days to discuss guidance on various childhood vaccines, during which members were expected to propose recommendations regarding their use. The meeting took place amid concerns about the potential threats to public access to vaccines, highlighted by Monarez, a microbiologist and immunologist who recently became the head of the CDC. She is worried that a reduction in vaccine protections could lead to the resurgence of preventable diseases.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current Secretary of Health and Human Services, oversees federal health agencies, including the CDC. His role includes the development of vaccine guidelines. Notably, Kennedy has expressed skepticism about vaccines throughout his career and has made unsubstantiated claims linking vaccine components to autism and other risks.
Monarez, appointed as CDC director on July 31, 2025, was previously the acting director and had held significant positions in other federal health-related organizations. Despite her expertise, her tenure was cut short after just under a month. In her testimony following her removal, Monarez recounted a request from Kennedy that she finds troubling. She stated that he asked her to consider terminating scientists within the agency and to agree in advance to endorse vaccine recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) without regard for scientific evidence. Monarez reported that she declined both requests.
This situation raises questions about the impact of leadership dynamics on public health agencies and their ability to maintain scientific integrity in vaccine recommendations.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/18/1123844/meeting-vaccine-guidance-former-cdc-leaders-alarmed/