President-elect Donald Trump’s health appointments, including vaccine critics and a vaccine skeptic at the helm, raise concerns about the team’s ability to manage future outbreaks effectively.
Lena H. Sun, Dan Diamond, Rachel Roubein and Fenit Nirappil report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Marty Makary, tapped to lead the FDA, and Dave Weldon, nominated for CDC leadership, have both questioned previous vaccine strategies and interventions.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known vaccine skeptic, is set to lead HHS, signaling a shift in public health priorities toward chronic disease over pandemic preparedness.
- Experts warn of the potential risks of diminished vaccine confidence amid emerging threats like H5N1 bird flu.
Key quote:
"We need a strong response program, which includes building confidence in vaccines, because infectious diseases, like H5N1, measles, whooping cough, aren’t going away anytime soon.”
— Katelyn Jetelina, California epidemiologist tracking bird flu and other outbreaks
Why this matters:
Public trust in vaccines is critical for managing outbreaks, and skepticism at leadership levels could hinder emergency responses. With threats like H5N1 bird flu looming, preparedness is essential to protect public health and the economy.
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