President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week faced off against U.S. senators who wanted to know her views on vaccines and whether she supported recent changes made by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
During Wednesday’s U.S. Senate confirmation hearing, Susan Monarez, Ph.D., fielded questions about Kennedy’s decision to dismiss the 17 sitting members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and appoint seven new ones. Senators also asked Monarez if she would consider rejecting the new committee’s recommendations.
If confirmed, Monarez would be tasked with accepting or rejecting ACIP’s recommendations on vaccination practices.
Monarez affirmed her belief that “vaccines save lives,” and pledged to prioritize vaccine availability. She said mRNA vaccines are “safe and with demonstrated efficacy,” and that she was unaware of any confirmed scientific link between vaccines and autism.
CDC Director Nominee Susan Monarez:
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) June 27, 2025
“The FDA has … approved the mRNA vaccines as safe and had demonstrated efficacy associated with them … We can have the confidence that we can put it in ourselves and our children.” pic.twitter.com/cplAL84ZDj
