CDC Official Resigns in Protest Over Vaccine Policy Changes

Dr. Fiona Havers, who led the CDC's network focused on studying hospitalization trends for infectious diseases, including COVID-19, has stepped down from her position in protest. Her resignation comes as a reaction to orders from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that aim to modify the agency's vaccine recommendations along with the committee responsible for these guidelines. Havers officially left the CDC on Monday, and the news was promptly communicated to her colleagues.

In an email sent to her fellow researchers, Havers expressed a loss of confidence in the CDC's ability to utilize data objectively and with the necessary scientific integrity for making informed vaccine policy decisions. An infectious disease researcher familiar with Havers's work described her departure as indicative of the ongoing deterioration of the agency's reputation for expertise, marking a significant setback for the CDC.

While CBS News sought a response from the CDC regarding these concerns, no comment was received. Instead, Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, affirmed Secretary Kennedy's commitment to making vaccine policy decisions based on solid scientific foundations and transparent analysis, free from outside influences.

Havers was instrumental in leading the CDC's Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network, known as RESP-NET, which monitored trends in hospitalizations tied to COVID-19, RSV, and influenza. Her contributions have been significant in shaping vaccine policies based on hospitalization data presented at public meetings of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Typically, the ACIP deliberates over vaccine recommendations, which are subsequently adopted by the CDC director. However, in a surprising turn of events earlier this year, Kennedy took it upon himself to implement changes without the usual committee process. He started by narrowing the vaccine guidance to exclude certain demographics, such as children and pregnant women, while replacing current ACIP members in a sweeping change he referred to as a "clean sweep."

Former ACIP members have publicly criticized these actions, highlighting concerns about the lack of a clear rationale for the changes and the potential negative impact on U.S. immunization policy and public health. Kennedy's recent panel appointments consist of individuals aligned with his views, including those skeptical of current vaccine recommendations. This new committee is expected to convene soon to deliberate on revised vaccine recommendations for COVID-19 and RSV, among other diseases.