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WASHINGTON — Former CDC Director Susan Monarez testified before the Senate HELP Committee on Wednesday, alleging that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s demands led to her firing in August. The hearing occurred a day before a key vaccine panel meeting, raising concerns about potential changes to childhood vaccination schedules.
Monarez claimed Kennedy pressured her to dismiss career officials and approve vaccine recommendations without data. She refused, leading to her dismissal. Kennedy previously stated Monarez was fired due to a lack of trust.
Senators questioned Monarez for three hours regarding her interactions with Kennedy. Democratic senators expressed worry that changes to vaccine recommendations without scientific backing could lead to preventable deaths.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) warned of potential increases in disease and death.
Monarez testified that Kennedy informed her the childhood vaccine schedule would be altered starting in September. She stated her willingness to consider changes supported by evidence, leading to a disagreement.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to meet Thursday and Friday. Twelve Kennedy-appointed members are expected to review recommendations for measles, Covid-19, and hepatitis B vaccines. Changes to the hepatitis B and MMR/chickenpox vaccines are under consideration, along with a vote on this fall’s Covid-19 booster.
Former CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry, also testifying, anticipates the committee may recommend delaying the hepatitis B vaccine until age 4, despite a lack of supporting data.
She expressed concern for public health and the potential resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. Currently, the hepatitis B vaccine is administered in three doses, starting within 24 hours of birth.
The CDC recommends, but does not mandate, childhood vaccination schedules. These recommendations influence insurance coverage. Kennedy’s push for changes comes amid declining public trust in the agency, according to recent polling data.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the committee chair and a gastroenterologist specializing in liver disease, defended the infant hepatitis B vaccine, citing its success in reducing infections since 1991. Experts emphasized the importance of early vaccination to prevent chronic hepatitis B and its long-term consequences.
The proposed changes are expected to draw increased scrutiny of Kennedy, who has previously criticized the CDC. Monarez testified that Kennedy made disparaging remarks about CDC employees, accusing them of harming children, being influenced by pharmaceutical companies, and enforcing pandemic restrictions like a “dictatorship.”
An HHS spokesperson responded that Monarez was misrepresenting Kennedy’s concerns about the CDC’s pandemic response. A vaccine policy expert expressed concern that revising recommendations without thorough review is irresponsible and puts infants at risk.