After CDC Director Is Ousted, More Senior Officials Resign
Summary
Former CDC Director of Immunization, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, discusses his resignation and the agency's current state following the firing of the CDC Director. He raises concerns about political leadership overriding scientific expertise, leading to potential harm and a loss of trust in public health guidance. Daskalakis emphasizes the critical impact on vaccine access and the emerging role of states in filling the federal public health void.Episode description
On August 27, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the White House fired CDC director Susan Monarez after only a month on the job. Right after she was ousted, other senior leaders resigned from the agency, including Demetre Daskalakis, an infectious disease physician and former director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC.
Dr. Daskalakis speaks with Host Flora Lichtman about the state of the agency and what these developments mean for public health.
Guest: Dr. Demetre Daskalakis is the former director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC.
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