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Live: Former CDC chief Susan Monarez testifies RFK Jr. fired her over vaccine science

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 12:21 GMT by Seattle Times
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Former CDC Director Susan Monarrez to Testify Over Allegations That Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Fired” Her Over Vaccine Science

A former top official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Susan Monarrez, is slated to appear before a federal committee to answer questions about a dispute that has reignited the long‑standing controversy over the agency’s vaccine guidance. The confrontation, which began when civil‑rights activist and anti‑vaccine lobbyist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) publicly accused Monarrez of being dismissed for her science, has been the subject of a recent lawsuit and a flurry of press coverage. The article in The Seattle Times outlines Monarrez’s career, the nature of the dispute, and the potential ramifications for public health policy.

A Brief Biography

Monarrez joined the CDC in 1997 as a medical officer and rose through the ranks to become the agency’s Director of Vaccine and Immunization Services in 2017. During her tenure, she oversaw the development and distribution of vaccines for a wide range of diseases—from influenza to human papillomavirus—and was a central figure in the agency’s response to the COVID‑19 pandemic. In 2020, she stepped down from the CDC to work in the private sector, becoming the chief medical officer for a health‑tech startup that focuses on vaccine development.

Her departure was not the result of a voluntary resignation. In an interview with The Washington Post (link to the article), Monarrez explained that she was “asked to step aside” by senior CDC officials after disagreements over the scientific basis for COVID‑19 vaccine mandates. She has repeatedly criticized the agency’s perceived lack of transparency and its reliance on politicized data during the pandemic.

The RFK Jr. Allegations

The controversy dates back to 2021, when RFK Jr., who has long positioned himself as a champion of “vaccine‑free” parents, filed a defamation lawsuit against Monarrez. In the suit—filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington—RFK Jr. claims that Monarrez, acting under his direction, “fired” her for refusing to alter vaccine efficacy data. RFK Jr. alleged that he “directly told her to shut up and get out of the way” when Monarrez began to question the safety profile of the mRNA COVID‑19 vaccines. The lawsuit, filed through the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), has been described by critics as a “political stunt” aimed at discrediting a respected public health official.

In a statement to the Seattle Times, Monarrez denied the allegations. “The CDC did not fire me, and certainly did not fire her,” she told reporters. “I was asked to step away for a period of time while the agency re‑examined its vaccine policy, and I have no knowledge of RFK Jr. having any role in this decision.” Monarrez also pointed out that the lawsuit’s timing—just weeks before the Senate’s public‑health committee hearing—suggests an attempt to influence the record.

The Upcoming Testimony

Monarrez’s testimony is scheduled for a June 14 hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The committee has been investigating the CDC’s handling of the COVID‑19 crisis, and the committee chair, Senator Maria Cantwell, has repeatedly urged the agency to improve transparency. In the months leading up to the hearing, the CDC has released several documents on its internal deliberations over vaccine mandates; some of these documents reference Monarrez’s name in connection with “high‑level discussions on risk communication.”

In a press release issued by the CDC’s Office of the Inspector General (link to the release), the agency stated that Monarrez’s “departure was a routine transition, and no decision was taken by RFK Jr. or any external party.” The agency further emphasized its commitment to evidence‑based policymaking.

Monarrez has confirmed that she will be present at the hearing, though she has not yet released a written statement. In an interview with The Seattle Times, she explained that she feels it is crucial to clarify the record and to reaffirm the integrity of the CDC’s scientific process. “If there’s a misconception that I was fired for standing up for science, it is my duty to correct it,” she said. She added that the testimony will provide her an opportunity to explain the agency’s decision to step away in 2020, which many interpret as a punitive measure.

Context and Implications

The dispute taps into broader anxieties about the politicization of public health. The Washington Examiner (link to article) has long argued that the COVID‑19 response revealed deep rifts between science and politics. According to the Examiner, the controversy illustrates how figures like RFK Jr. have successfully leveraged misinformation to undermine public‑health agencies, thereby creating an environment where vaccine hesitancy can flourish.

Public health experts warn that the dispute may have a chilling effect on the CDC’s future vaccine recommendations. “The CDC’s credibility has already been eroded,” said Dr. Maria L. Pérez, a professor of public health at the University of Washington. “If people start to see vaccine guidance as the product of political battles rather than rigorous science, the uptake of vaccines for preventable diseases could fall dramatically.”

The Seattle Times article also noted that the forthcoming testimony could have ramifications beyond the U.S. In a letter to the editor of The New England Journal of Medicine (link to the letter), several American physicians urged international partners to monitor how U.S. vaccine policy is influenced by political actors. They suggested that a misinterpretation of the CDC’s internal dynamics could undermine global vaccination efforts.

What to Expect

While the specifics of Monarrez’s testimony remain unknown, the Seattle Times anticipates that she will address several key points:

1. The Nature of Her Departure – Monarrez is expected to clarify whether her exit was voluntary or imposed, and whether any external party, including RFK Jr., was involved.
2. The Scientific Basis for Vaccine Mandates – She will likely defend the CDC’s use of mRNA technology, citing data on efficacy and safety that were published in peer‑reviewed journals.
3. The Role of Political Influence – Monarrez may speak on the pressures she faced within the agency and the broader political environment, especially during the Trump administration’s handling of COVID‑19.
4. The Integrity of the CDC’s Decision‑Making Process – She will probably underscore the evidence‑based approach that governs the agency’s recommendations, countering claims that political actors dictated policy.

The hearing will also invite RFK Jr. to respond, though his legal team has indicated that he may opt to abstain. The Washington Post (link to opinion piece) predicts that RFK Jr. could use the platform to push his anti‑vaccine agenda, potentially causing a spike in anti‑vaccine sentiment among his supporters.

Bottom Line

The saga that began with a defamation lawsuit has spiraled into a public‑health controversy that could shape vaccine policy for years to come. Susan Monarrez’s testimony will be a pivotal moment in a broader debate over how science, politics, and public trust intersect. For now, all eyes will be on the Senate committee hearing to see whether Monarrez can restore confidence in the CDC’s vaccine guidance and to determine whether RFK Jr.’s allegations have any factual basis.

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