Concerns Over Health Policy Direction
Dr. Demetre Daskarakis, who previously served as deputy coordinator for the Monkeypox Response under former President Joe Biden, expressed serious concerns about US health policies under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a recent interview.
Daskarakis, who became acting director of the National Centers for Immunology and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC in August 2023, made his thoughts clear during a discussion on “This Week.” He accused Kennedy’s team of altering vaccine guidelines based on ideology rather than scientific evidence.
“We’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg here,” Daskarakis said, pointing to changes in the childhood vaccination schedule for Covid-19. “There’s a major issue with eligibility only being for children with underlying conditions. We are talking about kids aged six months to two years, who might have those conditions.” He suggested that such restrictive recommendations could make vaccines harder to access, especially for vulnerable children.
“In that age group, I personally believe children should be vaccinated. However, I understand that not everyone may take that step, especially if access is limited. Insurance coverage could be a problem too,” he noted candidly. “It’s just detrimental, given my commitment as a physician who upholds the Hippocratic Oath.”
Some former CDC officials have pointed out that the issues surrounding Covid-19 vaccines might just be the beginning. Daskarakis raised concerns that Kennedy’s appointees could also reevaluate the hepatitis B vaccine, particularly the initial dose that newborns receive.
“I could be mistaken, but from what I’m observing and hearing regarding vaccination practices and new members of the ACIP Advisory Committee, it seems there’s a shift towards an ideology aimed at revoking certain vaccination guidelines,” he remarked. “They have a clear focus on Covid, but I’m uneasy about what else could be next. The hepatitis B vaccine, for instance, is on their agenda for the upcoming September meeting,” he added. “The goal seems to be to change when newborns receive this vaccine.”
In his resignation letter, Daskarakis criticized the Trump administration for promoting policies that did not align with scientific facts. He used the term “pregnant people” while discussing the impact of these decisions, warning that restricting vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant individuals could jeopardize the health of young Americans and erode trust in science.
Daskarakis had a notable five-year tenure leading the Sexual Health Program at the CDC, known for his outspoken views on public health. After resigning, he expressed sorrow over the fact that CDC expertise was no longer informing decision-makers.
