Approximately 600 employees at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been terminated as part of the Health and Human Services (HHS) restructuring plan, according to Fox News Digital. This comes as part of a significant overhaul of the Department of Health and Human Services, which was announced in March and aimed to cut the CDC’s workforce by approximately 2,400 employees. The plan emphasized refocusing efforts on public health preparedness and response to epidemics and outbreaks, marking a strategic shift to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
The restructuring was spearheaded by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been leading the department’s transformation as part of President Donald Trump’s initiative, ‘Make America Healthy Again.’ Kennedy emphasized that the cuts were not merely about reducing costs but also about realigning the organization with its core mission. He noted that the Department would do more at a lower cost, focusing on reversing the chronic disease epidemic and improving public health outcomes.
A spokesperson from the American Federation of Government Employees shared that about 600 CDC employees received final termination notices this week, affecting various departments, including the Division of Violence Prevention, EEO, FOIA, the Office of Financial Resources, and the offices of the chief information and chief operating officers. These cuts are part of a broader layoff effort that began in April, as HHS officials sent out layoff notices to thousands of employees at the CDC and other federal health agencies. Many are currently on administrative leave, paid but not allowed to work, as legal challenges over the restructuring continue.
A federal judge in Rhode Island recently issued a preliminary ruling that protected certain employees within the CDC, particularly those involved in critical health initiatives such as smoking prevention, reproductive health, environmental health, workplace safety, birth defects, and sexually transmitted diseases. This ruling did not shield all CDC employees, and the final round of layoffs is being carried out across the organization. The terminations became effective as of Monday, according to reports.
Tom Simon, a retired senior director for scientific programs at the CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention, expressed concern over the loss of nationally and internationally recognized experts. The affected projects included efforts to prevent rape, child abuse, and teen dating violence, as well as international work on tracking violence against children. These efforts were instrumental in organizing an international conference in November to discuss setting violence-reduction goals, highlighting the global impact of the CDC’s work.
The layoffs come shortly after a deadly shooting at the CDC’s campus, where a man fired at least 180 bullets, killing a police officer. This incident has raised questions about the security and safety of the agency and its staff. Meanwhile, Kennedy has been pushing several policy changes, including removing the recommendation of the COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children and pregnant women from the CDC’s immunization schedule. This move was met with criticism, especially from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recommended that all children aged 6 to 23 months receive a complete vaccine series.
Kennedy also dismissed the CDC’s independent advisory council on vaccines, replacing all 17 members with individuals he claims would restore public trust in vaccines. His actions have further intensified debates about the role of corporate influence in vaccination decisions, as he criticized the American Academy of Pediatrics for its stance, citing the significant corporate donations it receives from pharmaceutical companies like Merck, Moderna, Pfizer, and Sanofi.
This restructuring of the CDC has significant implications for the agency’s operational capacity and its ability to address critical public health issues. As the HHS continues to implement its overhaul, the impact on public health programs, workforce stability, and patient care remains a focal point of concern for experts and stakeholders across the country.