Senator White Accuses CDC of Vaccine Policy Manipulation During Senate Hearing
September 04, 2025 | Finance: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
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The US Senate Committee on Finance convened on September 4, 2025, to discuss the President's 2026 Health Care Agenda, with a significant focus on vaccine policy and the leadership of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The meeting highlighted intense disagreements among committee members regarding the direction of vaccine recommendations and the credibility of the CDC's advisory panels.
Senator White raised concerns about the CDC's current leadership, specifically targeting Secretary Kennedy for allegedly making it more difficult for children to receive vaccinations. White referenced an op-ed by Dr. Susan Menares, a former CDC director, who claimed she was pressured to approve recommendations from a vaccine advisory panel filled with individuals who have expressed anti-vaccine sentiments. This assertion led to a heated exchange, with Secretary Kennedy denying the allegations and asserting that Menares was lying.
The discussion also touched on the upcoming meeting of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which is set to make critical decisions regarding vaccines for diseases such as hepatitis B and measles. Senator White accused Kennedy of stacking the committee with non-experts and vaccine skeptics, undermining its scientific credibility. In response, Kennedy defended his actions, claiming he had not politicized the committee and that he had made efforts to restore its integrity.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also came under scrutiny, with White citing their warnings about the politicization of vaccine recommendations. Kennedy countered that the organization had conflicts of interest due to its ties with pharmaceutical companies.
The meeting underscored a deep divide in opinions regarding vaccine policy and the role of the CDC, with implications for public health and the future of immunization practices in the United States. As the committee prepares for the upcoming advisory meeting, the discussions reflect ongoing tensions surrounding health care leadership and vaccine access.
Senator White raised concerns about the CDC's current leadership, specifically targeting Secretary Kennedy for allegedly making it more difficult for children to receive vaccinations. White referenced an op-ed by Dr. Susan Menares, a former CDC director, who claimed she was pressured to approve recommendations from a vaccine advisory panel filled with individuals who have expressed anti-vaccine sentiments. This assertion led to a heated exchange, with Secretary Kennedy denying the allegations and asserting that Menares was lying.
The discussion also touched on the upcoming meeting of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which is set to make critical decisions regarding vaccines for diseases such as hepatitis B and measles. Senator White accused Kennedy of stacking the committee with non-experts and vaccine skeptics, undermining its scientific credibility. In response, Kennedy defended his actions, claiming he had not politicized the committee and that he had made efforts to restore its integrity.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also came under scrutiny, with White citing their warnings about the politicization of vaccine recommendations. Kennedy countered that the organization had conflicts of interest due to its ties with pharmaceutical companies.
The meeting underscored a deep divide in opinions regarding vaccine policy and the role of the CDC, with implications for public health and the future of immunization practices in the United States. As the committee prepares for the upcoming advisory meeting, the discussions reflect ongoing tensions surrounding health care leadership and vaccine access.
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