Major Shakeup at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

ATLANTA, Aug. 28, 2025 - In a dramatic turn of events, the Department of Health and Human Services announced on social media that CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez was “no longer director” following her refusal to dismiss senior sub-agency leaders or endorse vaccine policy changes pushed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Within hours, Monarez’s legal team declared that only President Trump, not Secretary Kennedy, had the authority to remove her, setting the stage for a potential White House showdown.

Senior Officials Resign in Protest

Four of the CDC’s top leaders-Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Director Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Daniel Jernigan, and Office of Health Data Director Dr. Layden-submitted resignations, citing the agency’s growing politicization and abrupt policy shifts on vaccines as their catalyst for departure.

“These actions have cost the CDC decades of institutional memory and expertise,” warned global health advocate Yolonda Richardson, pointing to mass layoffs and program eliminations that preceded this week’s upheaval.

Legislative Backlash and Oversight Calls

Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.) immediately urged postponement of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting scheduled for September, arguing that “significant oversight must be conducted” before any vaccine recommendations can proceed amid the leadership crisis.

Policy Implications and Public Health Concerns

Senior CDC officials told Reuters that Kennedy’s hand-picked vaccine advisers had been drafting recommendations before reviewing scientific data, a practice they deemed antithetical to the agency’s mission of evidence-based decision-making. Public health experts warn that the dismantling of CDC leadership could undermine preparedness for emerging threats, from Covid-19 booster strategies to routine childhood immunizations.

What’s Next

  • ACIP’s written public comment period opens Sept. 2, with submissions due by Sept. 13.
  • Congressional hearings on the CDC’s future and Secretary Kennedy’s role are expected within weeks.
  • The White House has yet to confirm whether President Trump will formally terminate Monarez or reinstate her pending consultation.

As the nation’s premier public health institution grapples with internal turmoil, stakeholders across Capitol Hill, the medical community, and state health departments will be watching closely to see whether the CDC can reclaim its scientific integrity and restore confidence in its vaccine guidance.