Trump administration RFK Jr. public health CDC vaccine policy Erica Schwartz Susan Monarez anti-vaccine movement

Efforts by the Trump administration to limit Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial anti-vaccine agenda appear to be failing. Kennedy has publicly indicated he will persist in interfering with federal vaccine policy.

On Tuesday, Kennedy declined to commit to supporting evidence-based vaccine policy under the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He also refused to rule out interfering with the agency’s recommendations.

Last week, former President Trump nominated Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the CDC, a position requiring Senate confirmation. Schwartz, a respected physician and former public health official, has a strong record of advocating for vaccines. Her nomination was met with cautious optimism by outside experts, though concerns remain about her ability to enforce evidence-based policies amid Kennedy’s influence.

Last year, Kennedy—who lacks medical, scientific, or public health credentials—removed the previous CDC director, Dr. Susan Monarez, after she served just 29 days. Monarez, like Schwartz, was a well-qualified nominee. She testified that she was forced out for refusing to endorse vaccine recommendations from Kennedy’s anti-vaccine advisors.

On Wednesday, reports surfaced that Kennedy’s political appointees had discarded scientific data that conflicted with his anti-vaccine stance. This move further underscores the ongoing tension between evidence-based public health policy and Kennedy’s agenda.

Source: Ars Technica
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