Debra Houra, former medical director and deputy director of the Program and Science at CDC, who was one of several agency officials who resigned after the release of Monarez, also testified during Wednesday’s interrogation.
“I gave up because the CDC leaders were reduced to rubber stamps, supporting policies not based on science and exposing American life. Kennedy’s secretary assessed CDC science, politicized her processes and deprived the leaders of independence. I could not stay in good conscience in these conditions,” said Houra.
She also accused Kennedy of stopping flu camps despite the severity of the 2024-2025 influenza season, as well as the spread of disinformation and promoting unverified treatment of the Oder.
Houry said that she had learned that Kennedy changed the tips on the Covid-19 CDC vaccine Post in social media on x. “CDC scientists have still not seen scientific data or justification of this change. This is not a science of gold standards,” Houra said, referring to the statement from May that HHS will no longer recommend vaccine for fit children and pregnant women.
Monarez said that the secretary Kennedy did not provide her with plans to change the childhood vaccination schedule until their meeting on August 25. Monarez said that she told Kennedy that she would be open to a change in the schedule of children’s vaccines, if evidence or learning supported these changes. Kennedy replied that according to Monarez there was no science or evidence and explained that CDC had never collected this data.
Monarez said that she could not agree to approve the ACIP recommendations before finding what they were. “I built a career on scientific honesty, and the worst was afraid that I would then approve something that reduced access to vaccines that save lives for children and others who need them,” she said.
This Thursday ACIP is set to discussion Viral hepatitis B vaccine, which was recommended for newborns within 24 hours of birth from 1991, but it is expected that the Committee will vote for removing this recommendation and delaying the dose of birth of vaccine against hepatitis B up to 4 years.
Each year in the USA, about 25,000 infants are born for women diagnosed hepatitis B or HBV, sedate liver infection that can lead to cirrhosis and cancer. Up to 90 percent of them would develop chronic HBV infections without vaccination. Before presenting the vaccine, almost 20,000 children and children were infected with HBV each year in the USA. Now less than 20, he receives a disease from his mothers.
“Now that we controlled it, will we release the genie out of the bottle? If the recommendation disappears and the parent wants vaccines, the insurance will no longer cover them free of charge. He will be forced to pay from his pocket,” said Senator Cassida at the end of the trial. The vaccine range is usually associated with ACIP recommendations.
Cassidy initially hesitated before the nomination of Kennedy as the secretary of HHS, taking into account his earlier vaccine statements, but later supported him, Kennedy promised to maintain the availability of the vaccine and not undermine public trust in them.
ACIP is to discuss the Covid-19 vaccines on Friday.