Key facts
- Dr. Erica Schwartz has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the new Director of the CDC.
- Schwartz's confirmation followed the withdrawal of David Weldon and the ousting of acting director Susan Monarez.
- During her hearing, Schwartz pledged to protect the CDC from political interference and use 'radical transparency'.
- She faced scrutiny for her responses regarding Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine policies and actions.
- The CDC has experienced significant staff losses and leadership turnover.
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This confirmation is seen as a win for the Trump administration, following the withdrawal of its initial nominee, David Weldon.
However, Schwartz's confirmation hearing was marked by criticism from some senators and health experts. They pointed to her performance, which included what they described as evasive answers on vaccine policy and a reluctance to challenge actions taken by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Schwartz stated she would 'never betray the science' and pledged 'radical transparency' to rebuild public trust, but she repeatedly declined to dissent from some of Kennedy's policy alterations.
Schwartz, 54, has a background largely in military service, including leadership roles in the U.S. Coast Guard overseeing clinics and vaccination policies, and previously served as deputy surgeon general. The CDC has faced significant turmoil since the Trump administration returned to office, experiencing substantial employee layoffs and resignations, leading to a loss of over a quarter of its workforce and a decline in morale. The agency has seen a rapid turnover of temporary leaders, often political appointees with limited public health experience.
During the hearing, senators questioned Schwartz about specific actions by Kennedy, such as curtailing smoking prevention and vaccination promotion programs, and a directive to halt a flu vaccination campaign during a deadly flu season. Schwartz stated she was unaware of these actions and declined to commit to removing a CDC website that suggests a link between childhood vaccines and autism, though she acknowledged existing medical evidence does not support such a link. She also responded to a hypothetical question about suspending a flu vaccination campaign by stating she does not speak in hypotheticals.