CDC Vaccine Officials Resign Amid Declining Childhood Vaccination Rates: What Communities Must Know
A wave of high-profile resignations has struck the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unfolding at a critical moment when childhood vaccination rates are already on the decline. These developments have raised concerns about the future of public health infrastructure and the safety of our most vulnerable populations.
Who Has Resigned—and Why?
In late August and early September 2025, several senior CDC officials resigned in protest. These departures followed the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez, who was ousted after she refused to endorse unscientific guidance and the removal of her senior vaccine expert staff.
Among those who left were:
- Debra Houry, Chief Medical Officer
- Demetre Daskalakis, Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
- Daniel Jernigan, Director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
- Jennifer Layden, Head of the Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology
These officials cited growing political interference, erosion of scientific integrity, and a troubling shift away from evidence-based public health decisions as key reasons behind their resignations.
The Changes That Sparked the Exodus
At the heart of the turmoil is Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s restructuring of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—which provides vaccine recommendations critical to public health policy. In June 2025, Kennedy dismissed all 17 ACIP members, replacing them with individuals some have described as anti-vaccine activists or lacking lobbying expertise.
These decisions were met with alarm by public health experts, who warned that sidelining scientific counsel in favor of political considerations would weaken the credibility of health guidance and jeopardize long-standing vaccine programs.
Declining Childhood Vaccination: Warning Signs Everywhere
This leadership crisis coincides with a dangerous trend: declining childhood vaccination rates, fueled by rising vaccine skepticism. One Floridian pediatrician shared dismayingly common parent comments recently heard in her clinic:
“It’s better for my kid to get the virus than get the vaccine.”
“The more you [doctors] vaccinate, the more money you get.”
“I did not vaccinate any of my kids, and I’m not going to vaccinate this one…”
These sentiments—which were nearly unheard of pre-pandemic—now occur with alarming frequency. Experts link this surge in hesitancy to the flood of misinformation and distrust fueled by the very political turmoil now rocking the CDC.
What This Means for Our Community
For communities served by SEACAA and CAAA, these developments are deeply concerning:
- Public Health at Risk: Political interference in vaccine policy could erode access to lifesaving immunizations.
- Scared Parents, Unvaccinated Kids: Misinformation and diminished trust are driving families away from routine vaccinations.
- Increased Vulnerability: Lower vaccination rates raise the risk of outbreaks and endanger immunocompromised and medically fragile individuals.
What Can We Do?
At SEACAA, we believe that community health depends on trusted partnerships, clear communication, and strong leadership. We recommend:
-
Communicating With Compassion and Clarity
Empower families with facts—not fear. Listen first, and gently counter myths with credible information. -
Strengthening Local Support Networks
Develop programs that ensure easy access to vaccinations—especially for elderly and economically vulnerable families. -
Advocating for Transparency and Accountability
Public trust is rooted in integrity. We must engage decision-makers to ensure vaccine policy remains driven by science—not politics.
Conclusion
The recent resignations at the CDC are not just headlines—they represent a significant risk to the health and safety of our communities. Declining childhood vaccination rates, if left unaddressed, can reverse decades of progress.
At SEACAA, we remain steadfast in our commitment to public health equity: through trusted, evidence-based outreach, and compassionate service, we can—and must—protect our children and families.