New leadership takes over at the CDC amidst chaos and internal strife, with the acting director stepping in to steer the troubled agency.

The CDC, the nation's premier public health agency, is facing a significant change in leadership following the dismissal of Dr. Susan Monarez, who was sworn in less than a month ago. Jim O'Neill, the deputy health minister and a close associate of US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is expected to serve as the interim director of the CDC if confirmed to replace Monarez.

Monarez's dismissal has sparked concerns among health professionals, with Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, expressing his worries about the future of the CDC without Monarez at the helm. Monarez's lawyers have stated that she refused to "rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts."

Dr. Debra Houry, one of the senior officials at the CDC who resigned in response to Monarez's dismissal, had been trying to guard against political meddling in scientific research and health recommendations. Houry attempted to replace the official who coordinated the panel's meetings with someone who had more policy experience and pushed for slides and evidence reviews to be posted weeks before the committee's meetings and for the sessions to be open to public comment.

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, another senior official who resigned, described the situation as untenable and cited concerns about scientific safeguards being compromised under the new leadership at the CDC. Daskalakis joined Houry in expressing concerns, stating that they feared the new leadership would prioritise political considerations over scientific evidence.

The CDC has faced turmoil since President Donald Trump took office, with the agency's budget being slashed and key health initiatives being dismantled. The change in leadership at the CDC is expected to trigger a key advisory committee review of standard childhood shots for measles, hepatitis, and other diseases.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been pushing anti-vaccine policies that contradict decades of scientific research, dismissed the entire CDC Advisory Committee and replaced them with a group that includes several vaccine skeptics. This move has raised concerns about the committee's ability to make evidence-based recommendations regarding vaccines.

The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is expected to meet next month to discuss vaccines for hepatitis B and a combination shot against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. The committee's recommendations play a crucial role in shaping vaccination policies across the country.

It remains to be seen how the new leadership at the CDC will address these concerns and ensure that scientific evidence continues to guide health recommendations. Jim O'Neill, who does not have a medical background, will face significant challenges in navigating the complex world of public health and ensuring that the CDC continues to protect the health of the American people.

New leadership takes over at the CDC amidst chaos and internal strife, with the acting director stepping in to steer the troubled agency.