Sue Menares, the previous head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is set to voice allegations against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the Senate. Apparently, Kennedy had exerted undue influence on her to validate new immunization guidelines without being presented with conclusive scientific findings.
Menares is assumed to state how Kennedy coerced her with an ultimatum to either sign off on new vaccine guidelines proposed by a contentious CDC advisory board, or face termination. This inside information, that reveals attempts at interfering with objective policy making, is expected to form the crux of Menares’ testimony.
In addition, the committee will be hearing from Deborah Awry, another high-ranking official who recently resigned from the CDC. Awry is also poised to provide her account of the affairs within the organization that led to her departure.
Kennedy, on the other hand, has vehemently denied accusations made by Menares, asserting that he never influenced the approval process for new vaccine recommendations. Earlier this month, during his own Senate testimony, he accused Menares of professional misconduct.
In Kennedy’s testimony, the HHS Secretary indicated that he had ordered Menares to dismiss several senior CDC officers. This statement adds an additional layer of complexity to an already convoluted situation being unraveled at Capitol Hill.
Deborah Awry, who stepped down from the CDC in recent weeks, will also appear before the panel. She is expected to bring additional insights into the ongoing matter, offering her unique perspective to the officials’ experiences within the department.
Despite opposing circumstances, Menares intends to convey the strength of her professional integrity to the Senators, stating, ‘Even under pressure, I could not replace evidence with ideology or compromise my integrity.’ She plans to emphasize the pivotal role that reliable data must play in shaping vaccine policy, as opposed to predetermined objectives.
Kennedy, however, maintains the position that he demanded Menares to relieve a number of key CDC officials from duty. He has repeatedly rejected Menares’ claims that he commanded the swift approval of vaccine guidelines.
Interestingly, these hearings are slated just before a two-day meeting of an advisory panel to the CDC, intended for discussing vaccines for COVID-19, hepatitis B, and chickenpox. This context adds further significance to these testimonies.
Kennedy has reportedly upended the composition of said advisory committee, removing incumbents and enlisting supporters, including the recent addition of new members. Before the recommendations of this committee can be enacted, they need the affirmation by the CDC director.
In the meantime, Jim O’Neill, serving as the acting director of the CDC and Kennedy’s Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, does not possess a background in medical or health fields. This adds another dimension to the ongoing matter being deliberated.
The post Ex-CDC Head Sue Menares Speaks Out Against HHS Secretary appeared first on Real News Now.
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