9.9.25

CDC's new acting director Jim O'Neill faces looming decisions on vaccines

CBS News 9.9.25

Summary: Acting Director O'Neill's résumé breaks sharply with CDC tradition. A Bush-era HHS official turned Silicon Valley investor, he is neither a physician nor a scientist — an unusual profile for the agency's top post.

Analysis: Dr. Celine Gounder, following up on her CBS Face the Nation appearance on 8.31.25, is holding the CDC Acting Director accountable for ensuring vaccine policies align with those of KFF Health News, where she serves as a top editor.

Former CDC directors cast RFK Jr. as 'dangerous' in New York Times guest essay

NBC News 9.9.25

Summary: NBC puts together a recent timeline of events at the CDC, most notably the resignation of top CDC scientists after the Director’s ouster.

Analysis: The piece features the NYT op/ed from former CDC directors (below), illustrating just one example of the massive of amount of attention it has received from dozens of media outlets. We would add that the NYT op/ed has received far more coverage than RFK Jr.’s WSJ op/ed (right).

CVS, Walgreens change COVID vaccine policies

Fierce Healthcare 9.9.25

Summary: A detailed account of vaccine availability and insurance coverage, which are affected by FDA, CDC policies.

Analysis: Doctors are quoted in droves who oppose RFK Jr.’s vaccine policies.

RFK Jr.'s power play faces key September tests

Axios 9.8.25

Summary: RFK Jr. expects to deliver a report on the environmental causes of autism this month. His handpicked vaccine advisory committee is set to meet on the availability of COVID boosters on Sept. 18.

Analysis: Axios notes September events will keep RFK Jr. in the spotlight. We would add he is also scheduled to appear before the Senate Finance Committee on 9.17.25.

The Turmoil Inside MAHA Is About More Than Just Vaccines

Wall Street Journal 9.8.25

Summary: Disparate factions are sparring over some of RFK Jr.’s biggest priorities; a top FDA scientist is hired, ousted, then hired again

Analysis: WSJ reporters dig into the many varied opinions of MAHA adherents, not all of whom agree with RFK Jr. and the Trump Administration.

CDC Officials on Why the U.S. Is 'Incredibly Vulnerable Now'

Wall Street Journal 9.8.25

Summary: A WSJ reporter re-caps current events about CDC in a six minute video that features a top CDC official who resigned after Monarez was fired and Dr. Richard Besser, a key voice opposed to RFK Jr.

Analysis: The video is somewhat balanced by noting RFK Jr. assertion that reform is a positive development for the CDC and mentioning the concerns of key GOP Senators such as Bill Cassidy.

RFK Jr. critic is blocked from participating in FDA advisory committee

CNN 9.8.25

Summary: Dr. Paul Offit, a frequent RFK Jr. critic, has been blocked from participating in a panel of independent experts who advise FDA on vaccines.

Analysis: CNN correctly notes that Offit is a frequent critic of the HHS Secretary. It should be no surprise that HHS leadership would rather not have him in the room if he’s unable to work with RFK Jr. in a constructive manner.

Former CDC directors say RFK Jr. is ‘endangering every American’s health’

Boston Globe 9.8.25

Summary: A Boston Globe reporter recaps the New York Times op/ed from nine former CDC directors blasting RFK Jr. on the Monarez firing.

Analysis: The Globe also mentions the RFK Jr. Wall Street Journal op/ed (right column) outlining CDC priorities, describing it as a rebuttal to the NYT article.

RFK Jr. Sets CDC Priorities in Op-Ed After Leadership Shake-Up

Bloomberg 9.8.25

Summary: This is Bloomberg’s take on RFK Jr.’s Wall Street Journal op/ed (right column).

Analysis: Bloomberg recaps some of the priorities RFK Jr. mentioned but also points out disagreements over the response to the measles outbreak in Texas.

House Republicans propose 6% budget cut to HHS for 2026 fiscal year

Fierce Healthcare 9.8.25

Summary: The House appropriations committee outlined budget and policy priorities for HHS, NIH and CDC.

Analysis: Facing an even bigger cut is the CDC which would see a 19% cut to eliminate duplicative programs, which is something RFK Jr. has mentioned. NIH is prioritized to maintain science research to counteract China.

RFK Jr: We’re Restoring Public Trust in the CDC

Wall Street Journal 9.8.25

Summary: CDC’s Covid failures stem from politicized science, bureaucratic inertia and mission creep. Over the years CDC mutated from a readiness-and-response force into a sprawling bureaucracy dabbling in nearly every health issue, often duplicating work already done by HHS.

Analysis: RFK Jr.’s WSJ article outlines six priorities that he believes will help CDC focus on a core mission of protecting Americans from infectious diseases.

RFK Jr. defends handling of CDC in WSJ OP-ED

NBC News 9.8.25

Summary: NBC hits on key points of RFK Jr.’s plan to refocus CDC as outlined in the Wall Street Journal (right column).

Analysis: While NBC raises questions about vaccine policies, the fact that they chose to mention RFK Jr.’s WSJ op/ed (above) offers some balance in mainstream media coverage over recent events at CDC. We did not see where ABC or CBS offered such coverage.

Republicans, take note: Voters trust Democrats more on vaccines

Stat News 9.8.25

Summary: Two doctors and former Republican congressmen, think current vaccine policy is an electoral liability for the GOP.

Analysis: The opinion authors believe Republicans should embrace evidence-based, positive vaccine policies. The article would have covered new ground if it would have suggested how the President’s review of Operation Warp Speed could accomplish this.

Sen. Rand Paul: Gay CDC official’s ‘lifestyle’ disqualified him from government

The Hill 9.8.25

Summary: One of the CDC officials who resigned in the wake of the director’s ouster is described by Rand Paul as being outside of the mainstream in terms of his gay lifestyle.

Analysis: This media dumpster fire is rather bizarre. If this official’s lifestyle, as described in some detail in the Hill, would have impeded CDC’s public health mission, it would be important.

9.8.25

We Ran the C.D.C.: Kennedy Is Endangering Every American’s Health

New York Times 9.8.25

Summary: What RFK Jr. has done to the CDC over the past several months — culminating in his decision to fire Dr. Susan Monarez — is unlike anything we had ever seen at the agency and unlike anything our country had ever experienced.

Analysis: Nine former heads of the CDC give their opinions which include vaccine policy, staff and budget cuts and their opposition to Medicaid changes under Trump’s domestic policy legislation.

Former CDC directors say RFK Jr. is endangering Americans' health

ABC News 9.8.25

Summary: Besser said the ousting of Monarez, along with the resignation of top CDC leaders leave the U.S. vulnerable to health challenges and threats.

Analysis: ABC is featuring Dr. Richard Besser, one of the NYT op/ed authors who has been a consistent RFK Jr. critic.

"This is unacceptable": Former CDC directors condemn RFK's upheaval

Axios 9.7.25

Summary: According to Axios, Public health authorities have already warned that the turmoil at the CDC could deplete the pipeline for future scientific talent

Analysis: More media coverage based on the former CDC directors’ NYT op/ed.

Frieden: “It's no longer possible to have any confidence in what's coming out of HHS or CDC”

CNN 9.7.25

Summary: Former Obama Administration CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden says the Trump Administration is “destroying our public health protections.”

Analysis: Frieden was joined by Dr. Debra Houry, one of the CDC officials who quit after Director Monarez was fired. Together, they question whether the country is prepared for a future pandemic.

Trump says CDC is ‘being ripped apart’ over Covid products, calls for drugmakers to prove benefits

Stat News 9.7.25

Summary: Trump’s support will be crucial to the success of RFK’s agenda and its implications for American health care — especially as the administration must choose a new nominee to lead CDC.

Analysis: Stat has a detailed account of what may appear to be differing views on vaccines between the President and his HHS secretary.

Trump demands drugmakers ‘justify’ COVID treatment success

The Hill 9.7.25

Summary: President Trump demanded drugmakers “justify” the success of their treatments for COVID-19.

Analysis: This is an extraordinary position the President took to review the success, or lack thereof, of Operation Warp Speed in his first term.

Trump demands pharmaceutical companies release Covid drug success rates

NBC News 9.7.25

Summary: Pfizer, the only company named by Trump, did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to NBC.

Analysis: In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Trump launched Operation Warp Speed to advance a Covid vaccination. Trump has defended Operation Warp Speed as a success despite anti-vaccination sentiment.

President Trump demands drugmakers 'justify their success' with COVID vaccines

USA Today 9.7.25

Summary: USA Today quoting Trump’s Truth Social Post: ”I hope OPERATION WARP SPEED was as 'BRILLIANT' as many say it was, if not, we all want to know about it, and why???"

Analysis: USA Today cites when Trump was met by boos in December 2021 when he told supporters at a rally that he received a COVID booster and recommended they should, too.

Why the FDA Doesn’t Support Covid Boosters Forever

Wall Street Journal 9.7.25

Summary: The emergency is over, and the U.S. is joining other nations in shifting to a risk-tiered approach on vaccines.

Analysis: FDA Commissioner Marty Makary outlines why vaccine mandates are no longer needed and questions why some believe Covid booster shots are needed in perpetuity.

CDC Walkouts Over RFK Jr’s CDC Firing

Bannons War Room 9.7.25

Summary: Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo discusses the institutional culture of the CDC, saying personnel changes “have to happen.”

Analysis: Dr. Ladapo, was widely criticized during the Pandemic for holding alternate views not deemed to be scientific consensus. In his interview, he describes the CDC as “bending” science to fit his pre-conceived views.

FDA calls CDC a 'broken agency', declares it is time to 'rebuild public trust’

Fox Business 9.7.25

Summary: FDA Commissioner Marty Makary outlines instances where the CDC needs to improve.

Analysis: Makary asserts that CDC, with 20k employees, was not able to generate a website to track the Covid virus, a stinging rebuke that is missing in mainstream media coverage about CDC’s troubles.

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