Fired CDC head alleges Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushed for unscientific vaccine endorsements

In Washington, D.C., on September 17, 2025, former CDC director Susan Monarez testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions regarding her recent firing from the agency. She accused Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of pressuring her to approve new vaccine recommendations without reviewing scientific evidence. Monarez stated that Kennedy had given her an ultimatum: to agree to the recommendations sourced from a controversial advisory panel or face termination. This panel has been characterized as harboring medical experts skeptical of vaccine safety. The confrontation between Monarez and Kennedy escalated as she maintained that vaccine policies should be rooted in credible scientific data rather than predetermined decisions. Monarez's testimony highlighted the urgency of integrity in vaccine policy-making, especially given the significant public health implications resulting from vaccine recommendations. It also surfaced that Kennedy had directed her to dismiss several high-ranking CDC officials without justification, further exemplifying the turbulence within the agency under his leadership. Monarez's testimony comes at a critical time as a panel convenes to review vaccine recommendations for diseases such as COVID-19, hepatitis B, and chickenpox shortly after her allegations. She testified about how Kennedy informed her that he required her to be 'on board' with altering the childhood vaccination schedule, despite the absence of supporting scientific rationale. This change reportedly contradicted commitments Kennedy made during his confirmation hearing. The political climate surrounding vaccine policies remains contentious, with both Republican and Democratic senators involved in questioning during the hearing. Kennedy's response to the accusations has included denials and the claim that Monarez acknowledged her unreliability to him, a statement she and her attorney have refuted. While Kennedy confirmed that he directed Monarez to terminate CDC officials, the implications of her firing and the pressures he applied have intensified scrutiny over the CDC’s operations. The Senate health committee meeting served as a platform to explore the effects of Kennedy's leadership style and the overall condition of public health policy as it pertains to child healthcare and vaccination protocols.