On Wednesday, the FDA accepted the brand new spherical of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax to be used by seniors over the age of 65. However for anybody youthful than that, the FDA approval solely mentions individuals who have “at the very least one underlying situation that places them at excessive threat for extreme outcomes from COVID-19.” It additionally eliminated one possibility for kids completely, revoking the Pfizer vaccine’s emergency use authorization for kids below 5.
Shortly after the FDA introduced the brand new pointers, a report from The Washington Publish stated that the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention ousted its director, Susan Monarez. That was confirmed in a submit on X by the Division of Well being and Human Companies, which is now led by longtime anti-vaccine crusader, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Nevertheless, Mark Zaid, who stated he is among the attorneys representing Monarez, responded by posting, “Dr. Monarez has neither resigned nor but been fired. She won’t resign,” and the next assertion:
Assertion from Mark S. Zaid & Abbe David Lowell
Counsel for CDC Director Susan Monarez
August 27, 2025 – 7:03 pm ETFirst it was impartial advisory committees and profession consultants. Then it was the dismissal of seasoned scientists. Now, Secretary Kennedy and HHS have set their sights on weaponizing public well being for political achieve and placing thousands and thousands of American lives in danger.
When CDC Director Susan Monarez refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fireplace devoted well being consultants she selected defending the general public over serving a political agenda. For that, she has been focused. Dr. Monarez has neither resigned nor obtained notification from the White Home that she has been fired, and as an individual of integrity and dedicated to science, she won’t resign.
The Publish says Monarez was “pressed for days” by Kennedy about whether or not she would help remodeling the FDA’s insurance policies. The Publish reviews that “at the very least three high CDC officers” have introduced plans to resign, together with Demetre Daskalakis, director of the Nationwide Middle for Immunization and Respiratory Illnesses, and Debra Houry, chief medical officer.
After previewing the replace in Could, the federal government eliminated wholesome pregnant individuals and youngsters from its record of individuals really useful to obtain the covid vaccine, which CNN reviews has already prevented some individuals from getting vaccinated.
In a tweet, Kennedy claims the actions will “hold vaccines out there to individuals who need them, particularly the weak,” nonetheless, they might now require thousands and thousands of Individuals to show they’re in danger, placing an extra hurdle in the way in which of getting vaccinated.
The New York Occasions reviews that an upcoming CDC choice may impression availability and entry at drugstore websites, as legal guidelines in some states require the CDC’s advice for pharmacy workers to manage the photographs. As we famous final month, Kennedy just lately fired 17 individuals from the federal committee (ACIP) liable for making vaccine suggestions.
