Former CDC chief: Deadly diseases could return to US because of Kennedy Jr.'s policies

Susan Monarez, former head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who was fired by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., warned on Wednesday in the Senate that his actions on vaccinations could lead to the return of deadly diseases such as polio and put children's health at risk.

Monarez appeared before the Senate Health Committee on Wednesday, recounting the circumstances surrounding her firing by Kennedy after just 29 days on the job. She stated that the reason for her dismissal was, among other things, her refusal to blindly accept a vaccine-skeptical panel appointed by the minister.

According to her testimony, Kennedy told her to support changes to the childhood vaccination schedule before the panel deliberated on the issue and analyzed the scientific data. The panel is scheduled to meet on Thursday and make decisions on issues such as childhood vaccinations for hepatitis B, chickenpox, and COVID-19.

"I refused to commit to endorsing vaccine recommendations without evidence, firing officials without cause, or resigning," the former official said. She also testified that Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine views, accused CDC staff of "killing babies." However, she said Kennedy's approach, unsupported by research data, puts children and the entire United States at risk of a resurgence of diseases like polio and whooping cough.

“It is possible that preventable diseases will come back and that our children will suffer from things they should not suffer from,” she said.

Monarez appeared before the committee less than two weeks after Kennedy gave his testimony. He claimed he fired the former CDC director because she told him she was untrustworthy.

From Washington, Oskar Górzyński (PAP)

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