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Jim O'Neill, a former investor and critic of health regulations, has been appointed as the acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). O'Neill served under President George W. Bush at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for six years and has no background in medicine or health care, holding degrees in humanities.

The CDC, which oversees vaccines and disease control, has been experiencing turmoil in recent months. There has been an exodus of four veteran CDC center directors, leaving the agency with few leaders who have a background in medicine, science, or public health crisis management. The CDC's principal deputy director, Anne Schuchat, retired in May 2021 and served twice as acting CDC director. Susan Monarez, the previous CDC director, was replaced after serving for less than a month. Monarez's lawyers stated that she refused to approve "unscientific, reckless directives" and to dismiss dedicated health experts.

O'Neill's appointment comes as a CDC panel, reshaped by Kennedy with vaccine skeptics, is scheduled to meet next month to review vaccinations for measles, hepatitis, and other conditions. Kennedy has not made it difficult nor discouraged people from taking vaccines, according to O'Neill. However, during his confirmation hearing, Sen. Bill Cassidy and ranking Democrat Ron Wyden questioned O'Neill about Kennedy's statements downplaying the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. O'Neill refused to criticize Kennedy's views on vaccines.

Despite his lack of experience in the medical field, O'Neill has expressed support for the federal government's traditional system for overseeing vaccines, including the role of the CDC. He has also expressed disdain for parts of the federal bureaucracy and has advocated for less regulation, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry.

As an acting official, O'Neill is limited to no more than 210 days heading the agency before he must step aside or be formally nominated to the post. Dr. Schuchat suggested that if the goal is to have an acting CDC director fulfill a predetermined decision about vaccines, it could be achievable despite the challenging nature of both of O'Neill's roles at HHS and CDC.

O'Neill is not associated with Kennedy's "Make America Healthy Again" movement and its campaigns against food dyes, fluoride, and ultraprocessed foods. It remains to be seen how O'Neill's appointment will impact the CDC's policies and operations in the coming months.