Summary
Former CDC director Susan Monarez testified that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told her not to share her concerns about health policies with Congress. Monarez stated that she felt pressured to compromise her commitment to openness and honesty with lawmakers. Kennedy denies that Monarez was dismissed for refusing to pre-approve vaccine recommendations.
Key Facts
- Susan Monarez was the former director at the CDC.
- She testified that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health Secretary, instructed her not to speak to Congress about policy concerns.
- Monarez claimed she contacted a Senate committee because she felt pressured to go against her pledge of transparency.
- Kennedy denies that Monarez was fired for not approving vaccine recommendations in advance.
- Monarez and Debra Houry, a former CDC Chief Medical Officer, raised concerns about a committee's vaccine recommendations.
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is set to meet to discuss vaccine guidelines.
- Monarez and Houry worry about the professional backgrounds of the committee members tasked with determining vaccine recommendations.
