Overview

• President Trump fired CDC Director Susan Monarez after she refused vaccine directives pushed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., prompting multiple senior resignations and staff walkouts.
• Deputy HHS Secretary Jim O’Neill was named acting CDC director, and the White House defended the removals as the president exercising his authority.
• In a New York Times op-ed, Sen. Bernie Sanders said Kennedy is “endangering the health of the American people” and called for his resignation.
• Senate HELP Chair Bill Cassidy demanded oversight of the CDC departures and urged postponement of the Sept. 18 ACIP meeting, citing concerns about its membership and process.
• Kennedy’s changes include removing all 17 members of the CDC vaccine panel, revising COVID-19 recommendations, and halting roughly $500 million for mRNA vaccine development, moves critics say weaken vaccination access and preparedness.