Former CDC Director Testifies on Firing, Warns of Vaccine Safety Consequences

Strategic Insights -

Former CDC Director Susan Monarez testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, claiming she was fired after 29 days for refusing to pre-approve vaccine recommendations without reviewing any data or research. Monarez testified that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directed her to commit to approving upcoming recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices without review and to dismiss career officials responsible for vaccine policy without cause.

"I responded that I could not pre-approve recommendations without reviewing the evidence and I had no basis to fire scientific experts," Monarez said. Monarez also warned that undermining vaccine safety would lead to an increase in preventable diseases, some of which have long-term consequences for children's health.

Key Takeaways:

  • Former CDC Director Susan Monarez was fired after 29 days for refusing to pre-approve vaccine recommendations without reviewing data or research.
  • Monarez testified that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directed her to commit to approving recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices without review.
  • Monarez warned that undermining vaccine safety would lead to an increase in preventable diseases, some of which have long-term consequences.
  • The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is scheduled to meet to issue guidance on COVID-19 shot access and childhood vaccines.
  • Former CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry testified that there are significant ramifications if new members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices don't use rigorous science and data to make recommendations.
  • Several CDC officials, including Houry, resigned after learning about Monarez's firing, citing concerns about vaccine safety and misinformation.
  • The gunman who opened fire at the CDC's headquarters in August killed a police officer and sent 180 bullets flying, causing trauma to the staff.
  • HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy raised concerns about the assembly of new CDC members appointed by Kennedy and the rushing of changes to COVID-19 shots.

Statistics:

  • 500 rounds were fired during the August shooting at the CDC's headquarters.
  • 180 of those bullets hit the building.
  • Monarez testified that approximately 50 million children receive vaccines annually in the U.S.
  • The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has made over 40 recommendations for the use of vaccines in the U.S.

Sources:

  • C-SPAN: "Senate Committee Fires CDC Director Fmr. Chief Medical Officer Testify on RFK Jr.'s Leadership" (https://www.c-span.org/program/senate-committee/fired-cdc-director-fmr-chief-medical-officer-testify-on-rfk-jrs-leadership/665435)
  • Georgia Recorder: "An Overhauled CDC Panel Is Set to Issue Guidance on COVID Shot Access and Childhood Vaccines" (https://georgiarecorder.com/2025/09/17/an-overhauled-cdc-panel-is-set-to-issue-guidance-on-covid-shot-access-and-childhood-vaccines/)
  • News From The States: "RFK Jr. Battles Members of US Senate Panel Over Vaccines, Removal of CDC Director" (https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/rfk-jr-battles-members-us-senate-panel-over-vaccines-removal-cdc-director)