Former CDC official describes “pure chaos” as RFK Jr. sought to transform health agency and take over vaccine panel

Former CDC Chief Deplores 'Pure Chaos' as RFK Jr. Overhauls Vaccine Advisory Panel

Dr. Debra Houry Details Turmoil Within Health Agency Under New Leadership

Former CDC official describes pure chaos - Dr. Debra Houry, a former top official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recently shared her experience of 'pure chaos' during the agency’s transformation under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In an interview with "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Sunday, Houry, who resigned last summer alongside three other senior leaders, described the upheaval as a stark departure from previous norms. Her departure was sparked by concerns over Kennedy’s efforts to reshape the CDC’s policies and personnel, including his direct intervention in key scientific decisions.

Houry emphasized that the agency’s internal dynamics shifted dramatically under Kennedy’s tenure. She pointed to the June 9, 2025, replacement of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP), a group responsible for recommending vaccines, as a pivotal moment. The panel, which had long been seen as a bastion of medical expertise, was disbanded and restructured to include Kennedy’s allies—individuals with connections to vaccine litigation. This move, she argued, prioritized political alignment over scientific rigor.

Challenges in Maintaining Scientific Integrity

During her interview, Houry highlighted several issues that fueled her discontent. One major concern was Kennedy’s refusal to engage with the CDC’s top medical officials regarding the ongoing measles outbreak. She also criticized the spread of misinformation about the measles vaccine, which she said undermined public trust in immunization programs. 'Science doesn’t change based on who is in office,' she stated, 'but when these actions began, I knew something was fundamentally different.'

“I also didn’t brief the secretary, which was very different than prior administrations. And when we had many requests coming from political appointees on things that had happened 30 years ago that didn’t really need to be relitigated at a taxpayer expense, I became very concerned that data, science and facts would not be enough.”

Houry, who served as the CDC’s chief medical officer for 11 years, criticized the qualifications of the new advisory panel members. She noted that many lacked medical or scientific training, and some had no experience in government. 'It’s certainly OK to have different perspectives and different expertise,' she explained, 'but then you want to make sure that the scientists and the experts are also being heard and part of those decisions. And we weren’t.'

Following the release of emails she provided to the Senate Health Committee in late June, Houry’s concerns gained broader attention. She revealed that the prospective ACIP members had not completed the required conflict-of-interest or ethics background forms before being appointed. 'It is not clear to me if these 10 members are 'ready,' as they need to go through FACA process' before confirmation, she wrote in an email to CBS News.

Rebuilding the Panel and Political Backing

Despite her reservations, Houry admitted that the new members eventually completed the vetting process. However, she viewed the lack of transparency as ironic, given Kennedy’s earlier criticisms of the previous advisors for potential conflicts of interest. 'The committee had not dramatically changed from administration to administration,' she noted in another email, 'and ACIP works hard to make sure it has people with the correct clinical expertise needed on the committee.'

Under Kennedy’s leadership, the ACIP met three times in 2025, with its final session in December focusing on the childhood vaccine schedule. The new members, including those with ties to lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers, voted to eliminate thimerosal—a preservative used in flu vaccines—from all formulations. They also abandoned the universal recommendation for the Hepatitis B vaccine at birth, a practice long supported by public health experts. Additionally, the Health and Human Services (HHS) department significantly reduced the number of shots advised for children, a decision that sparked debate among medical professionals.

Houry recounted how the names of the new ACIP members were never formally reviewed by her or other oversight bodies. 'I think, maybe naively, I hoped that by presenting facts, facts would matter or help,' she said, reflecting on her initial optimism about the process. Her critique of the panel’s composition and decision-making came after she raised concerns about the background checks, which she believed were insufficient to ensure impartiality.

Reactions and Legal Challenges

Kennedy defended his actions, arguing that the previous ACIP had become a 'rubber stamp' for vaccine approvals. He claimed the panel’s recommendations were no longer aligned with the public’s needs, particularly after the CDC’s shift in focus under his administration. However, the move drew criticism from Capitol Hill and legal challenges from health organizations. Senate Health Committee Chair Dr. Bill Cassidy, among others, expressed outrage over the disruption of the agency’s oversight structure.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and other groups filed lawsuits against the HHS, alleging that the changes to the vaccine schedule compromised public health standards. Houry, who had previously served as an emergency room physician, pointed to the broader implications of the decision. 'When political appointees begin dictating scientific priorities, the integrity of the agency is at risk,' she said, underscoring the tension between policy and evidence-based practice.

The controversy highlights a growing divide between the CDC’s mission as a public health institution and its role as a political entity. Houry’s departure marked a turning point, symbolizing the challenges faced by scientists within the agency. As the new ACIP members finalized their recommendations, the debate over vaccine policies continued to intensify, with critics warning of the potential consequences of sidelining expert consensus.

CBS News has sought comment from the HHS Department but has yet to receive a response. Meanwhile, the Senate Health Committee continues to examine the emails and testimonies related to the agency’s transformation. For Houry, the experience has been a stark reminder of the pressures faced by public health officials when political agendas take precedence over scientific evidence.

In March, a federal judge began reviewing the lawsuits against the HHS, which could determine whether the changes to the ACIP and vaccine recommendations were justified or if they violated procedural standards. As the legal proceedings unfold, the episode raises questions about the balance between scientific autonomy and political influence in shaping public health policy. Houry’s testimony, combined with the released emails, provides a detailed account of the turmoil that has shaken the CDC’s reputation as a reliable source of health guidance.