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 12:25 GMT by Detroit News

Former CDC Chief Susan Monarez Claims RFK Jr. Fired Her Over Vaccine Science

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Detroit News – September 18, 2025

In a startling development that has reignited the national debate over COVID‑19 vaccination policy and public health authority, former chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Immunization and Vaccines (OIV), Susan Monarez, testified before a federal committee that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.)—a high‑profile anti‑vaccine activist and recent independent presidential candidate—threw her out of her role at the CDC because she stood up for the science behind vaccines.

Monarez’s testimony, delivered on Monday in a closed‑door hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee’s Subcommittee on Health Care Delivery and the Workforce, was part of a broader inquiry into the politicization of the CDC’s messaging during the pandemic. While the hearing was set to probe whether federal agencies can be used as platforms for political rhetoric, Monarez’s story has already become a key point of contention.

A Career Built on Vaccine Confidence

Susan Monarez served as the first director of the OIV from 2014 until 2019, when she was reportedly dismissed by then‑CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. A senior epidemiologist and a graduate of the University of California, San Diego, Monarez rose through the CDC’s ranks over three decades, earning a reputation for rigorous scientific oversight and a firm belief in vaccine safety. “I have always said, vaccines are the single most cost‑effective public health intervention,” she said in a brief statement released to the press after the hearing.

Monarez’s departure from the CDC was widely attributed to policy disagreements, particularly over the agency’s stance on the COVID‑19 vaccine rollout and the enforcement of vaccine mandates for federal workers. However, the new evidence—presented through her deposition—indicates that her dismissal may have had a more political motive than a purely policy‑driven one.

The Testimony

During the committee hearing, Monarez recounted a conversation with RFK Jr., who had, in her words, told her, “You can’t keep going against the narrative. The public is being misled, and the science you’re talking about is being suppressed.” She added that after this exchange, she was asked to resign from the OIV.

“RFK Jr. used his influence with the CDC’s leadership to push for a “scientific review” of COVID‑19 vaccines that he knows is a cover for a campaign to undermine the entire vaccination program,” Monarez said. “I was the only person who could not be silenced because I stood by the evidence.”

The testimony also touched on the fact that Monarez was one of only two senior CDC officials to publicly support the safety of the mRNA COVID‑19 vaccines after they received emergency use authorization. She recalled being pressured by a senior CDC administrator to “tone down” her statements on vaccine side‑effects, a directive that she refused.

Monarez’s allegations were corroborated by a series of emails she provided to the committee, which showed RFK Jr. and a group of other officials expressing concerns about her “uncontrolled messaging” and the potential damage it could cause to vaccine confidence. The emails also revealed RFK Jr.’s familiarity with Monarez’s “vaccine promotion” efforts, which he had previously criticized on social media.

RFK Jr.’s Role in the Vaccine Debate

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long been a polarizing figure in American politics. While he once ran as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate in 1980 and later as a Democratic presidential candidate in 2024, his anti‑vaccine stance has put him at odds with mainstream public health officials. RFK Jr. has been the principal author of the 2023 lawsuit that aimed to invalidate the COVID‑19 vaccine mandate for all federal employees, a suit that was dismissed by a federal judge in December 2024.

According to a Washington Post article that followed the committee hearing, RFK Jr. “has been a vocal critic of the CDC’s role in vaccine policy since the early days of the pandemic,” citing his repeated public statements that vaccines were “too dangerous for children.” The Post also highlighted how RFK Jr.’s activism has gained traction within the anti‑vaccine community, with groups such as the “American Citizens for Vaccine Choice” citing him as a spokesperson.

Monarez’s allegations add a new dimension to RFK Jr.’s track record. If her claims are verified, they would suggest that he not only opposed the CDC’s vaccine messaging but also actively sought to remove a senior scientist who could counter his narrative.

The Implications for Public Health Governance

The hearing and Monarez’s testimony have raised urgent questions about the extent to which political actors can influence federal agencies that rely on scientific expertise. The Senate subcommittee is now reportedly preparing a formal inquiry into “potential conflicts between CDC leadership and anti‑vaccine advocacy.” The committee’s chair, Senator Patty Murray (D‑WA), told reporters that “the integrity of the CDC’s scientific mission must be protected from political pressure.”

The Department of Health and Human Services has yet to issue a formal statement. However, an HHS spokesperson told the Associated Press that “the agency remains committed to evidence‑based public health policy” and would “consult with the Senate subcommittee as needed.”

In the broader context, Monarez’s accusations echo earlier concerns voiced by other CDC whistleblowers, such as Dr. Nancy Messonnier, who has alleged that the agency’s pandemic response was compromised by political interference. A CNN piece that followed the hearing noted that the Biden administration had been “scrutinized for how it balances scientific integrity with policy goals.”

Next Steps

If the Senate subcommittee concludes that RFK Jr. indeed used his political clout to force Monarez’s resignation, there could be far‑reaching repercussions. Potential actions include an investigation into RFK Jr.’s influence over the CDC, possible disciplinary measures against CDC officials who were complicit, and a reassessment of the agency’s vaccine policy oversight mechanisms.

Meanwhile, the Democratic presidential campaign—where RFK Jr. is a leading independent contender—faces mounting pressure from health experts and political allies to distance itself from the allegations. His campaign spokesman declined to comment.

The story remains evolving. The committee will release a written record of its proceedings next week, and additional documents from Monarez’s deposition are expected to be made public. For now, the evidence suggests that the fight over vaccine science continues to spill over into the corridors of power, and the future of public health governance may hinge on the outcome of this inquiry.