Maine Senator Susan Collins took part in Wednesday’s high-profile congressional appearance by fired CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez.
Collins questioned Dr. Monarez’s about her abrupt firing and accusations of political staff overruling scientists on public health decisions.
“What are the implications for public health if important scientific decisions at the CDC are made by the political staff, rather than the career scientists?” asked Senator Collins
“It concerns me,” said Dr. Monarez. “It really concerns me. As you are aware, and Dr. Houry can elaborate on, these are very important, highly technical discussions that have lifesaving implications for our children and others who need vaccines. And if you don’t have the commensurate skill sets, or the ability to ask the right questions, and you’re willing to sign off on decisions that are not made with the best available data and evidence, it does put at risk our children. It puts at risk others who need these vaccines, and it takes us into a very dangerous place in public health.”
Dr. Monarez claims she was fired by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for refusing to sign off on new vaccination recommendations without scientific evidence and her resistance to removing high-ranking career CDC members without cause.
Collins’ questioning of Dr. Monarez came just before Thursday’s meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to vote on a new round of vaccine recommendations.
Kennedy previously fired the 17 members of the Advisory Committee and replaced them with 13 people of his choosing with medical backgrounds.
