WASHINGTON DC- Senator Patty Murray in the Senate HELP committee hearing on the nomination for director of the CDC questioned nominee Dr. Susan Monarez on Secretary Robert F. Kennedy JR.’s firing of 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP).
She also pressed on Secretary Kennedy JR.’s views when it comes to vaccines– adding that she feels he seems to be relying on vaccine skeptics.
“What will you do if the committee votes to remove vaccines from the vaccine schedule—or to not approve new ones—in opposition to clear, established science?” senator Murray asked.
“If I’m confirmed as a CDC director, I will be an active listener and will be very interested in the discussions that take’s place at the ACIP meetings,” Dr. Monarez said, “I will be looking at how the ACIP members are able to evaluate this complex scientific information and the statistical analysis that goes into the risk benefit associated with that,”
“I appreciate that long answer there, but I have to say, many of us are very deeply concerned about the recommendations because they impact millions of people as I said. But they also translate directly into which vaccines get covered by insurance—and which vaccines are then accessible to patients,” Senator Murray said.
Senator Murray also pressed Dr. Monarez on the ACIP in maintaining no-cost access to evidence-based vaccines for children and families, and how their recommendation could make families pay out of pocket for vaccines, she also had concern about individual new appointees that the after spoke to.
“I know Chair Cassidy has expressed concerns about that as well… Secretary Kennedy is bringing anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists from his former organization into that crucial vaccine meeting. Lyn Redwood, who is from the Children’s Health Defense, is scheduled to give a presentation on thimerosal in vaccines, to further RFK’s debunked claims that it causes autism, and she cited a study that does not exist. And after that was pointed out, CDC uploaded a new presentation. But let me ask you, do you think it is acceptable for a known conspiracy theorist who cites made-up sources to be presenting at CDC’s ACIP meeting and advising on vaccine recommendations?”
The doctor followed up with a statement saying that members of the public are allowed to present at meetings.
“I’m not familiar with the person you have identified. The ACIP is a public meeting and members of the public are in a position to be able to present what should be scientific and evidence-based information. And members of the ACIP should listen to that information and be able to evaluate the veracity of the data that is being discussed.” Dr. Monarez said.
Senator Murray was a vocal critic of President Trump’s first pick for CDC director, Dave Weldon. The CDC Director is a senate-confirmed position due to a provision in Senator Murray’s bipartisan “Prevent Pandemics Act,” which she negotiated and passed with former Senator Richard Burr in 2022.
