The former chief medical officer at the CDC, Debra Houry, revealed on Thursday that her resignation was triggered by Director Susan Monares being removed by the Trump administration, which she described as the breaking point.
Houry also noted that three other CDC officials resigned the day before, citing the actions of Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in ousting Monares as a catalyst.
“We were trying to hold it together and see if she could weather the storm. When she was gone, that was it for us,” Houry explained.
Her departure, along with those of other senior officials, comes as the Trump administration faces mounting criticism for spreading vaccine-related misinformation.
Kennedy stated on Thursday that the agency requires significant changes and defended his role in prompting the resignations. He emphasized that the CDC, central to vaccine strategy, must align with the administration’s policies.
In a Fox News interview during “Fox & Friends,” Kennedy mentioned wanting to look into the CDC’s perceived shortcomings.
“We need strong leadership to implement President Trump’s broad plans,” he added during the discussion.
Dr. Demetre Daskarakis, the former director of the National Center for Vaccination and Respiratory Diseases, also resigned on Wednesday and criticized the secretary for undermining scientific accuracy.
“We can’t function effectively in an environment that sees the CDC as merely an instrument that misrepresents scientific facts and harms public health,” he stated in his resignation letter shared on social media.
Daskarakis warned, “Recent adjustments to vaccination schedules for both adults and children pose risks to our youngest citizens and those who are pregnant.” He expressed concern that sudden policy changes indicate a lack of understanding about proper communication practices and common sense.
