Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as HHS secretary, has fired or forced resignations of 2,400 CDC staff (18% of workforce) since February 2025, replacing scientists with political allies. Critics warn this dismantles the agency’s vaccine expertise, with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) gutted and replaced by vaccine skeptics.

A federal judge recently blocked Kennedy’s ACIP changes, calling them “arbitrary and capricious.” Measles outbreaks worsened as officials promoted unproven treatments like budesonide, delaying care for affected children. Communications were hijacked by political appointees, leaving scientists unable to share critical health updates internally or externally.