The union representing employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expressed concerns that disinformation regarding vaccines could jeopardize staff safety following a tragic shooting at the Atlanta campus on Friday.
The union is urging the Trump administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publicly denounce the spread of misinformation about vaccines and to safeguard its employees from future acts of violence.
“This act of violence targeting the CDC is deeply troubling and entirely unacceptable. It represents an attack on all civil servants,” stated the United States Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), local 2883. They emphasized that leadership from both the CDC and HHS is crucial in rebuilding public trust and ensuring that reliable, science-based information prevails.
“To prevent potential violence against scientists that misinformation might provoke, we must assign responsibility,” the union further remarked.
Authorities revealed that Patrick Joseph White, who succumbed to gunshot wounds at the scene, had opened fire at the CDC headquarters near Emory University. Reports have indicated that White had criticized the Covid-19 vaccine concerning his mental health issues.
During the incident, David Rose, a 33-year-old police officer from DeKalb County, lost his life. Investigations are being handled by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
The CDC is currently facing layoffs and budget cuts under the Trump administration, alongside a rise in anti-vaccine sentiments fueled by conspiracy theories. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his skepticism about vaccines, has recently disbanded the Immunization Advisory Committee and overturned several vaccine-related policies.
“This tragedy is not an isolated event and amplifies the persistent abuse, neglect, and disparagement faced by CDC staff,” the local AFGE chapter commented.
Kennedy condemned the shooting in social media posts on Saturday, although he didn’t directly mention vaccines or express sentiments against the CDC.
“Public health workers show up every day with a sense of purpose, even amidst sadness and uncertainty,” Kennedy remarked. “We respect their work, stand in solidarity with them, and continue to unite our efforts to enhance the health of all Americans.”
HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon stated that Kennedy has “strongly condemned this horrific attack and is wholly dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of CDC employees.”
“This is a moment of solidarity with our public health workforce, not an opportunity for misusing tragedy for political advantage,” he added.
Kennedy previously removed all members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Vaccination Practices (ACIP) in June, alleging this was necessary to restore public trust in vaccines.
“Vaccination has become a contentious issue in American politics, yet there’s a consensus across parties: the U.S. is facing a public trust crisis,” Kennedy wrote in a Wall Street Journal article. “Confidence in health agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and vaccines themselves is diminishing.”
