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2h ago

NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya Named Acting CDC Chief as O’Neill Exits

A Vacancies Act deadline now pressures the White House to send a permanent CDC nominee to the Senate within weeks.

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NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya testifies during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee earlier this month.
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Overview

  • Bhattacharya confirmed he will temporarily lead the CDC while continuing to run the NIH.
  • Jim O’Neill left HHS after five months as acting CDC director and is expected to be nominated to lead the National Science Foundation.
  • The change follows prolonged instability at the CDC, including the firing of Senate-confirmed director Susan Monarez and a wave of senior resignations over vaccine policy disputes.
  • During O’Neill’s tenure, the CDC approved reductions to routine pediatric vaccine recommendations, a shift that has alarmed public-health experts.
  • Former CDC officials warn the dual role is unworkable given the agencies’ scope and locations, even as Bhattacharya has recently backed routine childhood immunizations and said he has seen no evidence that vaccines cause autism.