RFK Jr says CDC suffers from ‘malaise’ after ousting director Susan Monarez, slams its vaccine priorities

WASHINGTON, DC: Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr raised concerns about the state of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during a television interview on August 28.

His remarks came just a day after he dismissed CDC Director Susan Monarez, an appointee of President Donald Trump, an action that triggered several resignations from top officials at the agency. 

RFK Jr points to Covid blunders as resignations shake CDC

The departures followed allegations from Susan Monarez’s attorneys that Kennedy’s department was “weaponizing public health for political gain” and putting “millions of American lives at risk.”

Kennedy said it would be “inappropriate” to comment on personnel matters but offered his views on the CDC’s future.

Speaking on Fox News’ 'Fox & Friends,' Kennedy argued that the CDC needs stronger leadership to regain its former reputation.

Referring to the agency as “in trouble,” he added, “We are fixing it. And it may be that some people should not be working there anymore.” 

“CDC has problems. We saw the misinformation coming out of Covid, they got the testing wrong, they got the social distancing, the masks, the school closures that have done so much harm to the American people,” said Kennedy.

He added that President Donald Trump had “very ambitious hopes for CDC right now” and insisted leadership changes were necessary to restore trust.

From vaccines to fluoridation, RFK Jr says CDC focus is misplaced

Kennedy pointed to the agency’s official list of top scientific achievements as an example of misplaced focus.

“Today, on the CDC’s website right now, they list the 10 top advances, the 10 greatest advances in medical science and one of them is abortion, another is fluoridation, and another is vaccines. So we need to look at the priorities of the agency,” Kennedy said.

Calling for reform, he added, “There is really a deeply, deeply embedded—I would say malaise at the agency, and we need strong leadership that will go in there and be able to execute on President Trump’s broad ambitions for this agency to [return] to the gold standard science and what it was when we were growing up, which was the most respected health agency in the world.”

Internet reacts as Robert F Kennedy Jr defends his stance on CDC

Kennedy’s remarks stirred strong responses online, with both critics and supporters voicing sharp opinions.

One user wrote on X, “CDC was the most respected health agency in the world until you got there, Mr Secretary.”

Another added, “Yeah they save lives! And fun fact George Washington supported it! This guy is gonna get us killed!”

A third person commented, “Vaccines are actually the #1 medical advance in human history, saving (literally) hundreds of millions of lives globally. This guy is a dangerous idiot.”

Some went further, saying, “RFK is actively trying to kill as many Americans as possible. He needs to be stopped.”

Yet Kennedy also received support, with one user writing, “Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is doing great work at HHS, fighting for transparency and health safety. Let’s support him in his pursuit of truth! #AmericaFirst #healthfirst.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.