Nine former CDC directors issue dire warning over Kennedy actions

Reactions to the recent firing and resignations of top Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) leadership continued to reverberate over the Labor Day weekend, along with fallout linked to controversy over recent federal COVID vaccine policies.

During the waning days of August, the White House fired newly confirmed CDC director Susan Monarez, PhD, after she refused to rubber-stamp vaccine directives from Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. At the same time, four of the CDC’s top scientists resigned for similar reasons, prompting deep concerns from health leaders, medical groups, and lawmakers.

The upheaval at the CDC came in the same week the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the updated COVID vaccines for use in the upcoming respiratory virus season, which came with narrowed indications and other policy changes that will make it for difficult for some groups to be vaccinated, including lower-risk adults and young children.

Nine former CDC directors issue dire warning

On September 1, nine CDC directors who served under both Democrat and Republican administrations going back to 1977 published an opinion piece in the New York Times, writing that the upheaval at CDC under Kennedy’s leadership at HHS over the past several months is unlike anything the CDC or the county has experienced before. 

They referenced Kennedy’s promotion of unproven treatments and downplaying of vaccines during the measles outbreak, weakening of key programs including violence and injury prevention, and cancellation of vaccine contracts that leave the country unprepared against future pandemic threats. They also cited  his reduced support for global vaccination efforts and appointing people who align with his dangerous and unscientific views.

“We are worried about the wide-ranging impact that all these decisions will have on America’s health security,” the former CDC directors wrote, adding, “This is unacceptable, and it should alarm every American, regardless of political leanings.”

Several lawmakers have called for Kennedy to resign or be fired, and some, including Sen Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA), have called for a hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee to probe Kennedy’s actions. So far, no Senate HELP hearing has been scheduled, but Kennedy is slated to appear before the Senate Finance Committee on September 4 to discuss his Make America Healthy Again actions to date and plans for the future. It’s unclear if the group will demand answers regarding the Kennedy-led shake-up at the CDC.

Fallout continues from vaccine actions

In related developments, fallout continues from the FDA’s more limited clearance of updated COVID vaccines, which has resulted in confusion, muddled messaging, and new obstacles for receiving the vaccine. For example, CVS—the nation’s largest pharmacy chain—said following the approval that it was holding off on offering the vaccine in 16 states due to rules limiting pharmacists from giving vaccines that don’t have recommendations from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. CVS later said it could offer the vaccine in 13 of the 16 states if patients have a doctor’s prescription, which is also seen as a barrier to vaccination.

In the wake of the FDA announcement and apparent barriers, some states are stepping forward with measures to ease access. On August 30 the New Mexico Department of Health issued a COVID-19 vaccine health order that directs the health department to work with the state pharmacy board to remove potential barriers and ensure access at New Mexico’s pharmacies.

Colorado’s Governor Jared Polis on Reddit also signaled that his state is exploring ways to ensure that people can get a COVID vaccine without a prescription.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health) on August 30 said it, state health officials, other colleagues, and experts across the country are assessing the FDA’s updated COVID vaccine policies and will offer updated guidance in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, President Trump on Truth Social yesterday weighed into the controversy about COVID vaccines, which has also been fueled by news that a member of the CDC’s vaccine advisory group—one who is known to be critical of the vaccines—will lead a new review of COVID vaccines. The president accused drug companies of not being transparent about the benefits of the vaccines, despite the fact that vaccine makers have detailed their studies at FDA and CDC advisory committee meetings and have extensively published their findings in medical journals.

He also seemed swayed by praise for COVID vaccines under Operation Warp Speed during his first term, but said if there are downsides, he wants to know about them.