Amidst the government shutdown, the CDC initially issued termination notices to around 1,300 employees, later rescinding over half of these firings, as reported by several news outlets. The reinstated employees included members of the Epidemic Intelligence Service and those involved in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, according to The New York Times. Officials attributed the errors to “incorrect notifications” or a “coding error,” although the precise number of employees recalled remains unconfirmed. These actions have drawn criticism, with some labeling them as an assault on public health and highlighting the ongoing turmoil within the agency, including a recent lawsuit filed by the American Federation of Government Employees against the firings and recent events regarding previous CDC leadership and actions.
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As the government shutdown continues, the Trump administration has initiated a significant reduction in the federal public health workforce, specifically at the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These layoffs, confirmed by the Office of Management and Budget, involve permanent terminations rather than temporary furloughs and have dismantled key programs focused on family planning, LGBTQ+ health, and infectious disease surveillance. Experts warn that the cuts have severely impacted the CDC’s functionality and have left the nation vulnerable as it enters the respiratory virus season. Numerous senior scientists have resigned in recent months and the American Federation of Government Employees is contesting the firings through legal action.
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Trump Administration Is Bringing Back Scores of C.D.C. Experts Fired in Error
So, let’s talk about this whole situation where the Trump administration is bringing back scores of CDC experts, allegedly fired in error. It’s a wild ride, isn’t it? It’s hard to ignore the overwhelming sentiment that the whole thing is a colossal mess of incompetence and maybe even something worse. It’s a situation that is, in a word, a cluster.
This wasn’t just a simple mix-up. It sounds like a significant number of CDC employees were given the boot, and now, after some apparent scrambling, the administration is trying to undo some of the damage.… Continue reading
Measles outbreaks in South Carolina and Minnesota have led to significant quarantines and remote learning for unvaccinated children. In South Carolina, 153 students are under quarantine, while in Minnesota, 118 students face similar restrictions due to exposure to the highly contagious virus. Health officials have indicated active, unrecognized community transmission is occurring, highlighting the need for preventative measures to mitigate further spread. Vaccination rates below 95% in impacted areas are cited as a contributing factor in these outbreaks.
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Six former U.S. Surgeons General issued a joint warning, expressing concern that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s actions are endangering the nation’s health. The group of former officials accused Kennedy of rejecting science, misinforming the public, and eroding trust in agencies like the CDC, FDA, and NIH. They pointed to specific examples, such as the overhaul of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel and distortion of vaccine information, as evidence of his harmful influence. The former surgeons general also noted a decline in morale within HHS, describing an environment of intimidation and censorship that is negatively impacting the agency.
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Between 2019 and 2023, infection rates from drug-resistant “nightmare bacteria” increased by nearly 70% across 29 states, a new CDC report reveals. The rise was primarily driven by bacteria containing the NDM gene, with cases jumping more than fivefold in recent years, posing a grave danger. These infections, once linked to overseas medical care, now threaten to spread within communities, potentially transforming routine infections into chronic problems. The increase is likely related to the surge in antibiotic use during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current data likely underestimates the true scope of the issue due to incomplete testing and reporting in many states.
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The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently updated its recommendations regarding the MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). The updated guidance advises against using the MMRV vaccine for children under the age of 4 due to a minor risk of febrile seizures in that age group. This adjustment aims to mitigate potential side effects while maintaining the vaccine’s overall benefits in preventing these diseases.
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Former high-ranking CDC officials testified before the Senate, alleging that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has cultivated an anti-scientific environment characterized by censorship and policy manipulation. These officials, including former CDC Director Susan Monarez and Deputy Director Debra Houry, stated that Kennedy demanded vaccine policy changes without scientific justification and silenced dissenting voices within the agency. They also expressed concerns about the potential negative impacts of these actions on public health, particularly vaccine skepticism and declining vaccination rates across the US. The witnesses warned that these actions put the nation at risk of being unprepared for future disease outbreaks.
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US health officials are planning to release data on child deaths and serious side effects potentially linked to COVID-19 vaccines, despite the lack of supporting evidence and concerns of increased vaccine hesitancy. This move is part of a larger effort to cast doubt on vaccines and reduce access, with the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices revisiting recommendations for COVID, measles, and hepatitis B shots. Critics worry that changes to recommendations could lead to insurance companies no longer covering certain vaccines. Moreover, there is a concern over the addition of anti-vaccine advisers to the HHS.
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The Trump administration’s restructuring of the CDC has forced Mississippi to halt data collection for the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a crucial national database used for maternal and infant health policy. This interruption stems from the dismantling of the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health, which oversaw PRAMS and lost much of its staff due to federal worker purges. The lack of comprehensive data from PRAMS will likely hinder efforts to improve maternal and infant health, particularly as Mississippi grapples with a surging infant mortality rate and seeks to address racial disparities in outcomes. Experts worry that this halt in data collection will lead to increased maternal and infant mortality rates.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood