Health

Washington Post -  Susan Monarez, who was fired last month as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told senators Wednesday that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pressured her to change the childhood vaccine schedule and told her he was also speaking to President Donald Trump about the issue.

Testifying before the Senate health committee, Monarez said she was fired for “holding the line on scientific integrity” and pushing back on demands from Kennedy to preapprove vaccine recommendations from his advisers who have criticized vaccines. Kennedy told senators at hearing earlier this month that Monarez was lying, while conceding that he asked her to fire senior staff.

Monarez, in her first public appearance since her firing, said Kennedy told her that “every day” he was speaking to Trump about changing the childhood vaccine schedule and pressed Monarez to back him.

Debra Houry, one of three top CDC officials who resigned in protest of Monarez’s firing, also testified. She said she had to push back against Kennedy for trying to disseminate misleading medical claims through the CDC. 

A Harris Poll of poll of physicians, nurses and other frontline clinicians found that more than half are actively looking for a new job in hopes of leaving their current role in the next year. (Health Exec)