At the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters, workers maintain a low profile amidst fears of being monitored by officials from the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). Since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took over as health secretary, over 10,000 experienced staff have been fired, leading to chaos and dysfunction within the CDC, FDA, and NIH. Many employees reportedly feel like their lives have been turned upside down, with significant research programs halted and key health priorities reshuffled based on what is perceived as “wokeness.”
Kennedy’s approach, described by insiders as damaging to public health, includes a controversial overhaul of vaccine policies. He recently dismissed the entire advisory committee on immunization practices, emphasizing a desire to restore public trust in vaccine science while simultaneously politicizing it. There are fears that this approach and other cuts, such as the shutting down of crucial programs aimed at preventing chronic diseases like lead poisoning, will harm health outcomes in America.
Even amid efforts to streamline processes, sources claim that the new bureaucracy has added layers to grant approvals, contradicting claims of efficiency improvement. As Kennedy’s administration prioritizes budget cuts over scientific integrity, CDC employees express anxiety over the lack of direction and clarity in their work environment, warning of dire repercussions for public health both domestically and abroad.
