Hundreds of CDC staff gathered across the campus Thursday to cheer and applaud vaccine research and public health leaders, who resigned or were fired Trump administration In recent days.
The agency is being fired from the sack of CDC head Susan Monarez, but Monarez, identified as head of CDC a month ago, refused to remove him. Four senior leaders – Debra Houry, Demetre Daskalakis, Daniel Jernigan and Jennifer Layden – later resigned, citing comments suspected of misunderstandings and political interference under the Trump administration.
The agency is overseen by U.S. Secretary of Health Robert F Kennedy Jr., who has restricted the use of common vaccines used by Americans in recent days, removed scientific consultants and cut funding for medical research.
CDC staff and supporters gather across the campus Atlantathe three resigned officials – Houry, Daskalakis and Jernigan – mastered the applause and handshakes, which was a clear difference from being escorted outside campus this morning.
“Let’s get politics from public health,” Jennigan told the crowd. Jernigan has worked at CDC for 30 years and has played a key role in flu and pandemic preparation. “Let science lead us because that’s how we make the best decisions for public health.”
Daskalakis is known for his leadership in HIV prevention and vaccination programs and for the Biden administration’s response to the MPOX outbreak. He said: “You are the one who protects the United States, and the United States needs to see that you are the one who protects the United States, and we will be your biggest advocate.”
Debra Houry, who served as Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Director at the CDC, said she, Daskalakis and Jernigan As they work in vaccine science and outbreaks, they agreed to leave together.
“We’ve reached the tipping point and we know that the three of us do it together is a powerful statement,” Houry said.
The turmoil at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emerged as the agency recovered from the attacks of the gunman, who opened more than 500 subsidiaries to the Atlanta office before killing DeKalb police officer David Rose.
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.
