Debra Houry, former chief medical officer and deputy director for program and science at CDC, who was one in all a number of company officers to resign within the wake of Monarez’s firing, additionally testified throughout Wednesday’s listening to.
“I resigned as a result of CDC leaders had been lowered to rubber stamps, supporting insurance policies not primarily based in science, and placing American lives in danger. Secretary Kennedy censored CDC’s science, politicized its processes, and stripped leaders of independence. I couldn’t and in good conscience, stay beneath these circumstances,” Houry mentioned.
She additionally accused Kennedy of halting flu campaigns regardless of the severity of the 2024-2025 flu season, in addition to spreading misinformation and selling unproven therapies for measles.
Houry mentioned she realized that Kennedy had modified the CDC’s Covid-19 vaccine steerage from a social media put up on X. “CDC scientists have nonetheless not seen the scientific information or justification for this modification. That isn’t gold-standard science,” Houry mentioned, referring to an announcement in Might that HHS will not suggest the vaccine for wholesome kids and pregnant ladies
Monarez mentioned Secretary Kennedy had not communicated his plans to alter the childhood vaccination schedule to her till their assembly on August 25. Monarez mentioned she instructed Kennedy that she could be open to altering the childhood vaccine schedule if the proof or science supported these modifications. Kennedy responded that there was no present science or proof and elaborated that CDC had by no means collected that information, in line with Monarez.
Monarez mentioned she couldn’t conform to approving ACIP suggestions earlier than understanding what they had been. “I’ve constructed a profession on scientific integrity, and my worst concern was that I’d then be ready of approving one thing that would scale back entry to life-saving vaccines to kids and others who want them,” she mentioned.
This Thursday, ACIP is set to debate the hepatitis B vaccine, which has been really useful for newborns inside 24 hours of delivery since 1991. However the committee is predicted to vote on eradicating that advice and delaying the delivery dose of the hepatitis B vaccine till age 4.
Annually within the US, an estimated 25,000 infants are born to ladies recognized with the hepatitis B virus, or HBV, a critical liver an infection that may result in cirrhosis and most cancers. Earlier than the vaccine was launched, practically 20,000 infants and kids had been contaminated with HBV every year within the US. Now, fewer than 20 get the illness from their moms.
“Now that we have managed it, can we let the genie out of the bottle? If the advice goes away, and a guardian does need the vaccine, insurance coverage will not cowl it freed from cost. She’ll be compelled to pay out of pocket,” Senator Cassidy mentioned on the conclusion of the listening to. Vaccine protection is usually tied to ACIP suggestions.
Cassidy was initially hesitant about Kennedy’s nomination as HHS secretary, given his prior statements about vaccines, however he supported him after, he has mentioned, Kennedy promised to take care of vaccine availability and never undermine public belief in them.
ACIP is slated to debate Covid-19 vaccines on Friday.