Story perspectives

Former CDC Chief Alleges Vaccine Approval Pressure in Senate

9/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On September 17, 2025, former CDC Director Susan Monarez testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in Washington, DC.
Recently fired, Monarez claimed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pressured her to preapprove vaccine recommendations from a committee that included anti-vaccine activists.
Senator Bernie Sanders chaired the hearing, underscoring ongoing tensions in vaccine policy and public health leadership.
Monarez's claims have a moderate reliability score of 45.5.

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Story summary

On September 17, 2025, former CDC Director Susan Monarez testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in Washington, DC.
Recently fired, Monarez claimed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pressured her to preapprove vaccine recommendations from a committee that included anti-vaccine activists.
Senator Bernie Sanders chaired the hearing, underscoring ongoing tensions in vaccine policy and public health leadership.
Monarez's claims have a moderate reliability score of 45.5.