Ousted CDC director: ‘Our children’ will be harmed under Kennedy, Trump

(NEXSTAR) — In a fiery hearing on Capitol Hill Wednesday, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said she was fired for supporting scientific integrity when it comes to vaccines.

Susan Monarez served 29 days in the role before she says the president fired her. Monarez says she clashed with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for refusing to pre-approve vaccine recommendations without evidence and dismiss scientists without cause.

“If I am put in a position of having to say, ‘I will cede scientific integrity to retain my job,’ then I’m not the right person for the position,” Monarez said.

Monarez testified before Senators alongside the CDC’s former Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry. On Wednesday, Houry said she resigned because she felt leaders at the CDC had been “reduced to rubber stamps” under the new administration.

Democrats expressed concern that public health is at risk under Sec. Kennedy, whose views on vaccines they worry will lead to more disease.

“What is your concern? What are the long-term implications for the wellbeing of our kids and future of country if faith in vaccine science is undermined?” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) asked Monarez.

Her answer: “I believe preventable diseases will return, and I believe that we will have our children harmed for things that we know they do not need to be harmed by.”

But some Republicans questioned Monarez’s philosophy and said it doesn’t align with the administration.

“You are the problem,” Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) told Monarez.

Marshall scrutinized the CDC’s childhood vaccine recommendations, which an advisory panel will review at an upcoming meeting.

“Your attitude here that every person needs every vaccine is completely contrary to Secretary Kennedy’s philosophy and the mission of the president,” Marshall said.

Monarez said the vaccine schedule “has been vetted and validated through science and evidence.”

In a statement, an HHS spokesperson said Monarez’s remarks have “factual inaccuracies.” The statement went on to say she “acted maliciously to undermine the president’s agenda.”

The vaccine advisory panel Kennedy appointed meets Thursday to discuss childhood vaccines. They are expected to release recommendations later this week.