CDC Director Fired, Four Senior Officials Resign Amid Vaccine Policy Clash

Susan Monarez was fired as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after less than a month on the job due to conflicts with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policies, particularly her refusal to pull approvals for several COVID-19 vaccines. Her dismissal, described by the White House as a result of her not aligning with President Trump's health agenda, triggered the resignation of at least four other top CDC officials who cited the agency's politicization and departure from science-based public health practices under RFK Jr.'s leadership. These officials warned that misinformation and anti-vaccine policies have compromised the CDC's mission, exacerbating public health risks including a spike in measles and the tragic shooting at the CDC headquarters. Monarez's attorneys condemned the firing as a politically motivated attack against scientific integrity and public health, accusing RFK Jr. and the Department of Health and Human Services of weaponizing public health for political gain. The turmoil reflects deep internal strife within the CDC and raises concerns about the future direction of U.S. public health policy under the current administration. This crisis unfolds amid a broader context of ongoing public health challenges and political interference in science-based agencies.