'Never seen this': Former CDC official rails against Trump nominee's latest move
Former CDC vaccine Expert Dr. Fiona Havers railed against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision for a private citizen to come and give a presentation to his vaccine panel.
Havers, who spent 13 years at the CDC, was a senior advisor on vaccine policy. Blitzer noted the doctor, “resigned last week in the wake of health secretary Robert F Kennedy's purging of the agency's vaccine advisory committee.”
“I know Doctor Havers, you've actually said that a lot of Americans potentially are going to die from vaccine-preventable diseases as a result of these latest changes,” Blitzer said. “Who is most at risk [with Kennedy’s changes]?”
“I think in general, young children,” Havers said. “We're going to see a return of vaccine-preventable diseases that we haven't seen in this country before. We've already seen two measles deaths since RFK Jr. took over as HHS secretary.”
She later added that older adults with “underlying medical conditions” are also at risk.
“I want to get your reaction,” Blitzer said, “to this new panel that's now sitting and making these major decisions. What do you see as the most troubling aspect of these new appointments?”
“Well, I will say that one can see from my CDC colleagues' presentations that they gave yesterday and today how thorough and evidence-based they are.” Havers added, “I will say that there were a number of questions from this committee that really revealed a lack of basic understanding of methodology.”
She additionally expressed concern about a presentation that is being given to the panel by a private citizen. “I'm also really troubled that this presentation that's going on right now by Lyn Redwood is happening on thimerosal. That is an unprecedented type of presentation to happen.”
Havers affirmed, “Never before have I seen a private citizen invited to come and give a sort of overview of the evidence that has not been reviewed by the work group.”
The doctor went on to say, “The type of presentation she's giving is usually given by a CDC official after a lot of clearance. The fact that she is presenting in this very well-respected, previously well-respected public forum is just yet another example of RFK Jr.’s interference in the CDC’s vaccine policy process.
Blitzer then ended the segment and tossed to a break.
Watch the full segment here or below or click the link.
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