CDC row: Jim O’Neill replaces Susan Monarez as new acting director; White House says she was ‘not aligned with president’s agenda’ | World News

Jim O’Neill replaces Susan Monarez as new acting director of CDC

Jim O’Neill, deputy secretary of Health and Human Services, has been appointed acting director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Washington Post reported. His appointment follows a management disaster on the company after President Donald Trump eliminated CDC Director Susan Monarez final week.O’Neill, a biotech investor with shut ties to Trump ally Peter Thiel, has been working alongside Kennedy since November to implement the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.The White House in an announcement mentioned Susan Monarez dismissal was as a result of her being “not aligned with the president’s agenda.” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added, “If people are not aligned with the President’s vision and the Secretary’s vision to make this country healthy again, then we will gladly show them the door.” The ousting triggered chaos contained in the CDC, with dozens of employees staging a walkout on the company’s Atlanta headquarters on Thursday and not less than three senior leaders resigning. Among them was Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, who warned in a letter in regards to the “rise of misinformation” on vaccines and raised concern over looming price range cuts beneath Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. His appointment is seen as paving the way in which for Kennedy to claim higher affect over the CDC, as well being specialists warn that the turmoil may undermine belief in one of many world’s main public well being establishments.