Thursday, September 18, 2025 -Concerns over vaccine policy intensified this week as ousted CDC officials warned that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s actions could restrict children’s access to essential immunizations.
Testifying before Congress, former CDC Director Susan Monarez said she was dismissed after refusing to approve vaccine recommendations without reviewing scientific evidence and resisting pressure to remove career scientists. Her testimony painted a picture of political interference threatening long-standing public health safeguards.
The warnings have sparked alarm across the medical community, with experts cautioning that altering childhood vaccine schedules without strong data could undermine decades of progress in preventing disease.
Parents and public health advocates have voiced fears that reduced access or weakened guidelines might leave children vulnerable to outbreaks of illnesses once under control. Social media reactions ranged from outrage to confusion, underscoring deep public unease about how vaccine policy is being reshaped.
The controversy comes amid Kennedy’s broader overhaul of health agencies, including the replacement of vaccine advisory committee members and changes to COVID-19 guidelines. Critics argue that if decisions are made without transparency and rigorous evidence, the country could face renewed epidemics of preventable diseases.
With no permanent CDC director currently in place, the direction of U.S. vaccine policy remains uncertain and the stakes for children’s health could not be higher.
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