Overview

• In a New York Times guest essay, nine former CDC directors from both parties said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s actions risk U.S. health security and followed the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez.
• Monarez was dismissed days after resisting vaccine-policy changes pushed by Kennedy, prompting at least four senior resignations and staff protests at CDC headquarters.
• The former leaders cited purges of health workers, cancellation of research, replacement of vaccine advisers, and emphasis on unproven treatments during a major measles outbreak.
• The White House defended the removal as a lawful move to align leadership with the president’s agenda, while Jim O’Neill was tapped as acting CDC director.
• Lawmakers signaled oversight, with Sen. Bill Cassidy urging a postponement of the Sept. 18 vaccine committee meeting and hearings requested, and Kennedy scheduled to testify before the Senate Finance Committee this week.