Former White House National Monkeypox Response Deputy Coordinator Dr. Demetre Daskalakis resigned from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday, citing concerns over recent policy decisions under Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
His departure came just hours after CDC Director Susan Monarez was removed from her post, signaling a major realignment in federal public health leadership.
Observers say the simultaneous changes could have far-reaching implications for vaccination programs and public trust in the CDC.
Daskalakis criticized the administration’s changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for healthy adults and children, which he argued were implemented without meaningful consultation with CDC experts.
He expressed concern that the updated schedule could pose risks to vulnerable populations, including “pregnant people.”
The former deputy coordinator also raised alarms about the circulation of HHS documents, such as “frequently asked questions,” that relied on unverified studies, potentially undermining the agency’s credibility and scientific standards, The Post Millennial reports.
In his resignation letter, Daskalakis explained that he could not continue serving in an environment where CDC policies were driven by political priorities rather than evidence-based science.
He described the administration’s approach as lacking transparency and proper consultation, noting that key decisions