MANCHESTER, N.H. – Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has come under fire for his public criticism of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s controversial vaccine policies, which he alleges are endangering public health and destabilizing the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Sanders, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party and a 2016 and 2020 presidential contender, has called on Kennedy to resign as Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, citing the administration’s recent actions against public health officials. This dispute has sparked a broader debate on federal policy, vaccine trust, and the role of scientific expertise in public health decision-making.
Sanders’ criticism centers on the Trump administration’s handling of the CDC, where Kennedy, a longtime environmental activist and vaccine skeptic, has faced mounting scrutiny for his approach to vaccine policies. Last week, Kennedy fired Susan Monarez, the newly confirmed director of the CDC, after she refused his orders to limit the availability of certain vaccines, including those for COVID-19. Monarez, a veteran public health official, had been working to ensure vaccine accessibility and adherence to scientific guidelines. Her dismissal, and the subsequent departure of four other top CDC officials, have been seen as a significant blow to the agency’s credibility and independence.