What's happened
As of early September 2025, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is in crisis following the abrupt firing of Director Susan Monarez after less than a month in office. Her dismissal, linked to clashes with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policies, triggered multiple senior resignations and bipartisan alarm over politicization and erosion of scientific integrity at the agency.
What's behind the headline?
CDC Leadership Crisis and Public Health Impact
The firing of Susan Monarez, the CDC director confirmed less than a month prior, marks an unprecedented upheaval in the agency's 79-year history. This event, coupled with the resignations of four senior CDC officials, signals a deep institutional crisis driven by political interference under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Politicization of Science
Kennedy's leadership has been characterized by a departure from evidence-based public health practices. His skepticism of vaccines, including COVID-19 shots, and the replacement of expert advisory panels with vaccine skeptics undermine the CDC's scientific credibility. The agency's traditional role as a trusted source of health guidance is at risk.
Consequences for Vaccine Policy and Public Trust
The narrowing of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to primarily older adults and those with underlying conditions, combined with the firing of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, complicates vaccine access and messaging. This shift may reduce vaccination rates and increase vulnerability to outbreaks, as seen in the recent measles resurgence.
Institutional Erosion and Future Risks
The loss of experienced leadership and the reported 'deeply embedded malaise' within the CDC threaten the agency's capacity to respond to current and future health emergencies. Bipartisan calls for congressional oversight reflect widespread concern about the agency's direction.
Outlook
Without a course correction, the CDC's diminished role and public trust will likely exacerbate health risks nationwide. The upcoming advisory committee meetings and congressional hearings will be critical junctures to assess the agency's trajectory and restore scientific integrity.
What the papers say
The New York Post's detailed guest essay by former CDC directors described Kennedy's actions as "unlike anything we had ever seen at the agency," highlighting his skepticism of vaccine safety and the firing of thousands of health workers. They warned that "the loss of Dr. Monarez and other top leaders will make it far more difficult for the CDC to do what it has done for about 80 years."
The Independent reported on Demetre Daskalakis's resignation, citing his concerns that Kennedy's policies "will result in death and disability of vulnerable children and adults." Daskalakis criticized the narrowing of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and the replacement of the vaccine advisory committee with skeptics.
AP News and The Independent detailed the confusion around new COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, noting that FDA approvals now limit shots to those over 65 or with underlying conditions, complicating access and insurance coverage. This shift follows Kennedy's firing of the entire Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices earlier in the year.
Ars Technica and The Independent highlighted Susan Monarez's brief tenure and ousting after refusing to support Kennedy's vaccine policy changes. Her lawyers stated she was "targeted" for refusing to "rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives."
Bloomberg and South China Morning Post reported Kennedy's criticism of the CDC's pandemic response and his claim of a "deeply embedded malaise" within the agency, underscoring the internal turmoil.
Together, these sources paint a picture of a CDC in disarray under Kennedy's leadership, with significant concerns about the politicization of public health and the future of vaccine policy in the US.
How we got here
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appointed as US Health Secretary under President Donald Trump, has pursued controversial anti-vaccine policies. His tenure has seen the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez, mass resignations of senior CDC officials, and the overhaul of vaccine advisory committees, raising concerns about the agency's ability to protect public health.
Go deeper
- What led to Susan Monarez's firing as CDC director?
- How have vaccine policies changed under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.?
- What are the implications of the CDC leadership crisis for public health?
Common question
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Why Is COVID Vaccination Getting More Complicated This Year?
The landscape of COVID-19 vaccination is shifting rapidly, with new challenges emerging that make getting vaccinated more complex than before. Changes in federal guidance, vaccine availability, and political influences are all impacting how and when people can access COVID vaccines. If you're wondering why things seem more confusing now or whether you should wait for the latest vaccines, you're not alone. Below, we explore the key questions about the current state of COVID vaccination and what it means for you.
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Why is the CDC leadership in turmoil?
The CDC is currently experiencing significant leadership turmoil, with key officials resigning and disagreements over vaccine policies coming to the forefront. This chaos raises questions about the future of public health guidance in the US. What exactly is causing this upheaval, and how might it impact public health efforts? Below, we explore the main issues behind the CDC leadership crisis and what it means for you.
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How Does Political Conflict Affect Public Health and Safety?
Political disputes and leadership turmoil can have a profound impact on public health agencies and community safety. Recent headlines highlight issues like CDC leadership upheaval and rising gun violence in the Bronx, raising questions about how political interference influences public trust, safety efforts, and health outcomes. Below, we explore common questions to understand these complex dynamics better.
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What's Causing the Leadership Crisis at the CDC?
Recent turmoil at the CDC has raised many questions about what's behind the leadership shake-up. With senior officials resigning and conflicts over vaccine policies, many are wondering what’s really going on inside the agency. In this page, we explore the key issues fueling the crisis and what it means for public health in the US.
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Why is the CDC in crisis under RFK Jr.?
The CDC is currently facing a major upheaval amid leadership clashes and controversial vaccine policies under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s influence. This turmoil raises questions about the future of public health in the US and the integrity of vaccine recommendations. Below, we explore the key issues driving this crisis and what it means for public health moving forward.
More on these topics
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Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. (born January 17, 1954), also known by his initials RFK Jr., is an American politician, environmental lawyer, author, conspiracy theorist, and anti-vaccine activist serving since 2025 as the 26th United States secretary of healt
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a national public health institute in the United States. It is a United States federal agency, under the Department of Health and Human Services, and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Demetre C. Daskalakis is an American infectious disease physician and health activist who served in leadership roles at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2020 to 2025.
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Moderna is an American biotechnology company focused on drug discovery, drug development, and vaccine technologies based exclusively on messenger RNA. It is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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Pfizer Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation headquartered in New York City. It is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies.
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Novavax, Inc. is an American vaccine development company headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with additional facilities in Rockville, Maryland and Uppsala, Sweden.
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The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an American professional association of pediatricians, headquartered in Itasca, Illinois. It maintains its Department of Federal Affairs office in Washington, D.C.
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The Food and Drug Administration is a federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments.
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The American Medical Association, founded in 1847 and incorporated in 1897, is the largest association of physicians—both MDs and DOs—and medical students in the United States.
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The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is a professional association of physicians specializing in obstetrics and gynecology in the United States. Several Latin American countries are also represented within Districts of the organ
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Kaiser Permanente is an American integrated managed care consortium, based in Oakland, California, United States, founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney Garfield.
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Anne Schuchat is an American medical doctor. She is a former rear admiral and assistant surgeon general in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, who currently serves as the principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control
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Debra Elaine Houry is an American physician. She is the acting principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, having formally served as the Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.