Demetre Daskalakis, the former director of the CDC“s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, has painted a grim picture of the agency”s current state under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been described as a controversial figure in public health.
Daskalakis argues that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is experiencing a significant collapse. Under Kennedy”s administration, numerous staff have been let go, and the agency”s policies appear to have been influenced by individuals associated with the anti-vaccination movement. This period has also seen tragic incidents, such as a shooting linked to misinformation surrounding COVID-19 vaccines.
The situation escalated dramatically when former CDC director Susan Monarez was dismissed merely weeks into her tenure. Monarez alleged that her termination was due to her refusal to endorse vaccine-related recommendations pushed by Kennedy”s advisors, many of whom have a history of disseminating vaccine misinformation.
Following her dismissal, Daskalakis and three other senior officials resigned in protest. He shared insights into the internal turmoil at the CDC, citing a deteriorating relationship with Kennedy and a lack of scientific leadership.
Daskalakis reflected on his experiences during the transition into the second Trump administration, noting that the appointment of Kennedy raised immediate concerns. He recalled his previous battles against anti-vaccine campaigns during a measles outbreak in New York City, which were exacerbated by Kennedy”s organization, Children”s Health Defense.
Despite initial hopes for collaboration, Daskalakis indicated that communication with Kennedy”s team quickly deteriorated. The CDC experienced multiple rounds of layoffs, which he described as a “CDC massacre,” significantly reducing the staff and altering the agency”s ability to function effectively.
Changes to vaccine recommendations were made without proper consultation with scientists, which further added to the chaos. Daskalakis expressed frustration over the replacement of expert members on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with individuals aligned with political motives.
Ultimately, the firing of Monarez was a turning point for Daskalakis and his colleagues, prompting their decision to resign in protest. Daskalakis emphasized that the current leadership is disregarding scientific integrity, potentially endangering public health.
He criticized the notion that dismantling the CDC is necessary for improvement, likening it to a reckless strategy of trying to rebuild an airplane mid-flight. Daskalakis argued that public health can be reformed without destructive measures, advocating for a rational approach to enhance the CDC instead.
In the aftermath of his resignation, Daskalakis noted that the CDC”s condition has only worsened, with a lack of scientific guidance and leadership continuing to plague the organization. He expressed concern for the remaining staff, who are grappling with trauma from recent violent incidents and feel undervalued by leadership.
Looking ahead, Daskalakis believes that the CDC is currently irreparably damaged. He suggests that the focus should shift to supporting local health organizations and state initiatives rather than attempting to salvage the federal agency, which he views as compromised by ideological agendas.
