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Former CDC official warns cuts and politicization at HHS have weakened U.S. pandemic preparedness
Summary
Dr. Fiona Havers, a former CDC medical officer, testified that staffing cuts, removal of advisory committees and grant terminations have eroded CDC credibility and reduced the nation's ability to respond to future pandemics, citing the ACIP removals and recent grant cancellations.
A former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official told a House panel that recent leadership actions at HHS have weakened the nation's pandemic preparedness and undermined public trust.
Dr. Fiona Havers, who resigned from CDC in June 2025, said she stepped down after she lacked confidence that vaccine‑related data would be evaluated objectively under new HHS leadership. "On 06/09/2025, Secretary Kennedy dismissed all members of the advisory committee on immunization practices," Havers said, adding that she resigned a week later because she no longer trusted the process. Havers warned the changes have damaged CDC's credibility with state and local health partners and clinicians.
Members cited current outbreaks and funding disruptions as immediate examples. Representative DeGette recounted the ongoing measles outbreak and told the panel that of 135 confirmed cases in a particular outbreak, 127 were known to be unvaccinated; she warned that the United States risks losing its measles elimination status. Havers said declines in vaccination coverage, staffing losses at federal agencies, and terminated research grants have left the country less prepared than it was in 2020.
Havers urged restoring evidence‑based leadership, investing in state and local public health infrastructure and reversing policy moves that she said have stripped critical tools — including funding for mRNA vaccine research — from the preparedness toolbox. "If vaccination rates drop... we will see an increase in unnecessary deaths," she testified.
The committee did not take formal action to reverse HHS decisions during the hearing; lawmakers pressed witnesses for specifics and requested written follow‑up.
