Debra Houry, former chief medical officer and deputy director of program and science at the CDC, was one of several agency officials who resigned after Monarez’s dismissal, and he also testified at a hearing Wednesday.
“I resigned because the CDC leaders were reduced to rubber stamps, supported policies that were not based on science, and put American lives at risk. Secretary Kennedy reviewed the CDC’s science, politicized its processes, and deprived independent leaders. I can’t maintain a good conscience under these conditions, with a good conscience,” Houry said.
She also accused Kennedy of severity despite experiencing the 2024-25 flu season and spreading misinformation and promoting unproven treatments for measles.
Houry said she learned Kennedy had been guided by the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine Social Media Posts on X. “Central Disease Control and Prevention scientists still don’t see scientific data or reason for this change. It’s not the gold standard science,” said Horry, referring to a May statement that HHS will no longer recommend vaccines to healthy children and pregnant women.
Monares said Secretary Kennedy has not communicated her plans until a meeting on August 25, and Monares said she would be willing to change the children’s vaccine schedule if evidence or science supports the changes. Kennedy replied that there is no available science or evidence and elaborates that the CDC has never collected the data.
Monares said she could not agree to approve ACIP recommendations until she knew what they were. “I have established a career with scientific integrity and what I fear most is that I will be in some aspects of approval that can reduce the chances of life-saving vaccines for children and others who need them,” she said.
This Thursday, ACIP is Prepare for discussion A newborn hepatitis C vaccine is recommended within 24 hours since 1991. However, the committee is expected to vote to remove the recommendation and delay the birth dose of the hepatitis C vaccine until the age of four.
An estimated 25,000 babies are born in women diagnosed with hepatitis B virus or HBV, a severe liver infection that can cause cirrhosis and cancer. Before the introduction of the vaccine, nearly 20,000 babies in the United States were infected with HBV each year. Now, mothers under 20 years old have contracted the disease from their mothers.
“Now that we have control over it, will we let the elves come out of the bottle? If the advice goes away, parents do want the vaccine and insurance will no longer cover it for free. Vaccine coverage is Usually related to ACIP recommendations.
Cassidy initially hesitated about Kennedy’s nomination as HHS secretary because of his previous statement of vaccines, but said Kennedy promised to maintain the availability of the vaccine without undermining public trust in it.
ACIP plans to discuss Covid-19-19 on Friday.
