Fmr. CDC chief calls out ‘all-out assault on public health’ after director’s firing

Leadership Changes at CDC - The President fired CDC Director Susan Manz less than a month into the job due to misalignment with the administration's agenda [1][2] - Four top CDC officials resigned, citing concerns about the weaponization of public health and misinformation about vaccines [4] - Former acting CDC director Richard Besser stated Manz was asked to fire her leadership team and endorse vaccine recommendations that contradicted science [2] Political Interference and Public Health Concerns - The White House defended the firing, stating officials should align with the President's agenda [3] - Concerns were raised about political interference and the spread of misinformation, potentially endangering public health [4][8][11] - A former CDC official stated America's public health is significantly in danger due to scientific integrity and political interference issues [11][12] Vaccine Policy and Access - Health Secretary Kennedy limited COVID vaccine approval to people 65 and older and those with underlying health conditions [8] - There are concerns about vaccine access due to potential insurance co-pays, with vaccine doses costing up to $140 [16] - Confusion exists regarding who should receive the COVID vaccine, potentially leading to fewer people getting vaccinated [14][17] Congressional Oversight and Reactions - Republican Senator Bill Cassidy called for oversight and urged the CDC to postpone a key vaccine meeting [4] - Senator Bernie Sanders called for an immediate bipartisan investigation into the situation [26] - There are questions about the effectiveness of congressional oversight and potential actions to address the issues at the CDC [51][52] Impact on CDC and Public Trust - The leadership changes and resignations are expected to disrupt the CDC's basic work [9] - Concerns exist about the impact on trust in information coming from the CDC [14] - A former CDC director described the situation as an all-out assault on public health, with potential dire impacts on people's lives [37][38]