Susan Monarez, the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), remains in her position despite conflicting statements regarding her termination, according to her lawyer. Monarez, who has occupied the role for only a month, reportedly resisted directives she deemed unscientific and criticized Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for what she claims is the politicization of public health. The White House statement indicated that Monarez was “not aligned with the president’s agenda,” implying her removal was justified.
Monarez was confirmed in her position after being nominated by President Donald Trump, following the withdrawal of a previous candidate due to controversial views on vaccines. In light of recent developments, at least three senior officials within the CDC have resigned due to frustrations related to vaccine policies and Kennedy’s leadership. Notably, Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry expressed concerns about misinformation regarding vaccines and objected to budget cuts risking the agency’s effectiveness.
In a statement, Monarez’s legal team asserted that only the president has the authority to remove her. Meanwhile, Kennedy has voiced the need for CDC leadership to align with Trump’s policies, adding that the agency requires significant reform.
The backdrop of these events includes recent FDA approvals for new COVID-19 vaccines, which have restricted eligibility mainly to seniors. Monarez’s brief tenure was marked by challenges, including an incident where the CDC headquarters was targeted in a shooting, raising concerns about safety amid the ongoing debate on vaccine-related topics. Additionally, approximately 600 CDC employees were laid off recently, affecting teams engaged in various public health initiatives.
Monalez, without a medical degree, was the first CDC director in five decades with a background in infectious disease research, and her recent actions have drawn attention to the agency’s current leadership dynamics and its broader impact on public health discourse.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy3zjxy3dwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss