Senators set to interrogate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. amidst upheaval at the CDC and vaccine modifications
Last week, a staff protest took place outside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Atlanta headquarters, marking a turbulent period for the organisation. The unrest was sparked by the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez and the subsequent resignation of several senior CDC officials.
On Monday, nine former CDC directors published a scathing editorial in The New York Times, labeling HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as 'dangerous'. The editorial stated that Kennedy's actions are 'unlike anything our country has ever experienced'.
The editorial does not provide any evidence to support its claims about Kennedy's actions. It also does not discuss the reasons for Monarez's firing or mention any other individuals who resigned from the CDC following her dismissal.
The criticism from the former CDC directors comes amidst a series of vaccine-related decisions by the CDC that have drawn criticism from lawmakers. Senator Ron Wyden, the senior Democratic senator from Oregon, demanded Kennedy's resignation during a Senate hearing, while Republican Senator Bill Cassidy from Louisiana is among the critics of the CDC's decisions.
However, the editorial does not mention any specific vaccine-related decisions made by the CDC. It only states that Kennedy's actions are a cause for concern.
As of today, Kennedy is testifying on Capitol Hill. The CDC, in the midst of this controversy, continues to work on its mission to protect America from health threats. The staff protest outside its headquarters, the editorial in The New York Times, and the ongoing hearings on Capitol Hill all serve as a reminder of the scrutiny the CDC is currently under.
