Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, director of the National Institutes of Health, has been appointed as the acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to an announcement on . This appointment comes amidst a period of significant leadership changes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Bhattacharya succeeds Jim O’Neill, who had been serving as both the acting CDC director and deputy secretary of HHS since . O’Neill is now slated to be nominated to lead the National Science Foundation, a move described by some as part of a broader “musical chairs leadership shakeup for science agencies.”
The transition at the CDC follows the contentious departure of Dr. Susan Monarez, who served as CDC director for less than a month in . Monarez testified before the Senate Health Committee that she was removed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. After refusing to approve changes to vaccine guidance without supporting data and after objecting to the firing of career public health officials. Kennedy has disputed her account.
Several top CDC officials resigned in protest following Monarez’s ousting, and the NIH has also experienced significant turnover, with more than half of its 27 institutes and centers currently lacking permanent directors. Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, stated she was fired by Kennedy in for defending vaccines and speaking out against the cancellation of NIH research.
Balancing Two Agencies
Bhattacharya will simultaneously lead both the NIH, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, and the CDC, located in Atlanta, Georgia. This dual role presents logistical challenges given the distinct missions and geographic separation of the two agencies.
Shifting Vaccine Policy
The CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, appointed under Secretary Kennedy’s leadership, has indicated a focus on reducing the number of recommended vaccinations for children. Recent recommendations have already resulted in the removal of six common vaccines from the standard childhood schedule, fulfilling promises made by Kennedy to reverse decades of US vaccine policy.
While Bhattacharya has publicly stated his support for childhood vaccinations against diseases like measles – noting that vaccinating children against measles is “the best way to address the measles epidemic” – his appointment positions him to oversee further adjustments to vaccine schedules. The US has recently seen a resurgence in measles cases, with South Carolina reporting nearly a thousand cases since .
Restructuring and Concerns
Alongside the changes in vaccine policy, the CDC has experienced layoffs and the closure of departments focused on infectious disease monitoring, mental health support, and tobacco and substance use prevention. Kennedy’s team defends these actions as efforts to reduce “bureaucratic bloat” and conflicts of interest.
However, critics, such as Dr. James Alwine, an emeritus professor of cancer biology, argue that the current movement represents a different form of conflict of interest, promoting a largely unregulated wellness industry at the expense of public health. Dr. Alwine stated that the consequences of this movement are evident in rising vaccine hesitancy and increased cases of preventable diseases.
A History of Contrarian Views on COVID-19
Bhattacharya gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as a vocal critic of pandemic-related restrictions, particularly state-mandated lockdowns. As a Stanford economist and physician, he co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration, which advocated for a focused protection strategy targeting vulnerable populations while allowing for broader societal opening. The declaration was embraced by the Trump Administration and conservative media outlets, but faced criticism for its potential ethical and practical limitations.
The ongoing leadership changes at the CDC and NIH, coupled with the shifting policy directions, raise questions about the future of public health initiatives and the role of scientific evidence in decision-making. The agency is currently navigating a complex landscape marked by vaccine hesitancy, emerging infectious diseases, and ongoing debates about the appropriate balance between individual liberties and collective health measures.
Dr. Debra Houry, a former CDC Chief Medical Officer who resigned in , testified before the Senate, stating, “I resigned because CDC leaders were reduced to rubber stamps, supporting policies not based in science and putting American lives at risk.” She further alleged that Secretary Kennedy censored CDC science, politicized its processes, and stripped leaders of their independence.
