Ousted CDC director targeted for ‘protecting the public over serving a political agenda’ lawyer claims
Top health officials resign after White House fires CDC director
- Susan Monarez has been removed as director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just weeks into her role, making her the shortest-serving head in the agency's history.
- Her lawyer said she was targeted for “protecting the public over serving a political agenda” and has neither resigned nor received formal notification of termination.
- The ousting reportedly stemmed from Monarez's refusal to support Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s push to alter vaccine policy, specifically regarding Covid-19 shot approvals.
- Kennedy, a known vaccine sceptic, had previously taken steps to roll back Covid-19 vaccine recommendations and cancelled significant mRNA vaccine development projects.
- Following Monarez's removal, at least three other senior CDC officials resigned, with one citing the “weaponizing of public health” as their reason for departure.