White House chooses top aides for health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr To temporarily lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – this appointment is expected to enhance Kennedy’s goal of remaking federal vaccine policies.
White House officials confirmed to guardians that during the George W. Bush administration, Jim O’Neill, a health department biotech investor and speechwriter, served as acting director of vaccine recommendations.
O’Neill’s appointment comes after she refuses to resign under pressure from Kennedy and his allies as a dismissal of infectious disease expert Susan Monarez as a director of the CDC, she says lawyers refuse to support the “targeted” revenge of the unscientific directive. Her dismissal has sparked unrest within the top U.S. public health agencies, with at least three top officials also Exit the protest.
The agency has been paralyzed in recent weeks, with staff still moving in amid mass layoffs, with shootings at the headquarters of the agency that killed police this month. Meanwhile, Kennedy is a well-known anti-vaccine advocate for two decades – firing top agency leaders and recently reorganizing a panel of immunization experts.
Monarez, confirmed by the Senate as CDC Director Less than a month agoseen by agents and outside experts as someone who has the potential to help Kennedy’s anti-vaccine agenda.
Unlike Monares, O’Neal has no medical or infectious disease science training. During the Bush era, he was a former speechwriter in the health department, and he continued to work for tech investors and Conservative giant Peter Till.
O’Neill during the common pandemic Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquinealso Vitamin D As the so-called “prevention”.
He also posted many conspiracy theories on social media, including Unfounded claims That name #Coronavirus Selected as the origin of the hidden virus. The name makes learning more difficult and may slow down the response. ”
In the coming weeks, the CDC plans to hold a meeting of vaccine consultants, and O’Neill is expected to play a key role. The process could lead to new, restrictive guidelines that allow Americans to receive the latest Covid vaccine.
Senator Bill Cassidy, a doctor who chairs the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee called on the Vaccine Advisory Group to “delay” its scheduled meeting in September, amid the chaos of the CDC.
“If the meeting gains, any advice should be rejected because there is a lack of legitimacy given the seriousness of the allegations and the current turmoil in the CDC leadership,” Cassidy said in a statement.
O’Neal could only serve as interim leader of the agency until the Senate confirmed its permanent director.
O’Neill insisted he was “pro-vaccine” during his confirmation hearing, where he currently serves as deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, but the Democrats at the hearing expressed skepticism given O’Neill’s close allies with Kennedy.
News of O’Neal’s appointment has sparked criticism from health care professionals. Atul Gawande, surgeon, writer and public health expert ask: “Have the U.S. run out with practical health practitioners who show experience improving public health outcomes?”
He added: “Or maybe, it’s just someone willing to betray Trump and RFK JR’s public health tenet and beneficiaries.”
Lauren Gambino contributes the report
Health & Wellness Contributor
A wellness enthusiast and certified nutrition advisor, Meera covers everything from healthy living tips to medical breakthroughs. Her articles aim to inform and inspire readers to live better every day.
