Internal emails show RFK Jr pressured CDC on vaccines as Bernie Sanders demands his resignation

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Bernie Sanders on Thursday, June 25, released a cache of internal Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emails that he says show Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr exerting political pressure over federal vaccine policy and public health messaging.

Sanders argued the documents reveal Kennedy repeatedly overrode public health officials, prompting him to call for the secretary's resignation and a bipartisan investigation into the agency's leadership. Sanders also renewed his call for Kennedy to resign and urged a bipartisan investigation into the firing of former CDC Director Susan Monarez.

Emails detail vaccine messaging, flu campaign changes, and CDC oversight

The emails, which Sanders said were provided to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee by former CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr Debra Houry, span several major public health decisions, including flu vaccination campaigns, vaccine advisory committee changes, and internal oversight of CDC policy decisions. 

According to the documents, Kennedy's office played a direct role in multiple vaccine-related decisions inside the CDC.

One email from February 2025 states that HHS communications officials instructed CDC staff to halt flu vaccination advertising during one of the country's most severe flu seasons.

"He said this request came directly from the Secretary," a CDC staff member wrote after being informed that advertising related to flu shots and vaccinations should be removed from circulation. Another email from HHS communications director Andrew Nixon stated the request "was a direct ask from Secretary Kennedy."

Internal correspondence also showed CDC officials expressing concern that suspending vaccination campaigns could expose the agency to legal issues and damage its public credibility during a severe flu outbreak.

In one August 2025 email, then-chief of staff Matthew Buckham instructed Monarez on the need for "political review of major decisions at CDC ... to ensure that (the Immediate Office of the Secretary) and the CDC political leadership all have eyes on the decisions for approval/changes before they go into effect."

Sanders also highlighted emails and meeting notes related to Kennedy's overhaul of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), including discussions about replacing committee members and reshaping vaccine recommendations.

Sanders calls for investigation as Kennedy's actions face renewed scrutiny

Sanders argued the documents demonstrate political interference in public health decisions and renewed his criticism of Kennedy's leadership at HHS.

In a statement accompanying the release, Sanders said Kennedy "prioritized politics over public health, ignored expert guidance, and endangered people, particularly children."

The senator also condemned Monarez's dismissal, calling it "outrageous" and alleging she was fired "for failing to rubber-stamp recommendations from the CDC's vaccine advisory committee. Sanders called for a bipartisan congressional investigation into her removal and again urged Kennedy to resign.

The newly released correspondence adds to ongoing scrutiny surrounding Kennedy's leadership of the nation's public health agencies. The HHS has previously denied allegations made by Monarez regarding her dismissal, while Kennedy has disputed her account of events and defended his approach to restructuring federal vaccine policy.