The Readout Loud 367: The ouster of CDC's director, biotech venture firm rankings
20 snips
Aug 28, 2025 Chelsea Cirruzzo, Washington correspondent at STAT, joins the conversation to dissect the abrupt ouster of CDC Director Susan Monarez and the wave of resignations among senior officials amid vaccine policy tensions. They discuss the impact on public trust in health institutions and the shifting landscape of health policies. The dialogue also covers STAT's VC rankings report, highlighting the challenges and successes within biotech venture capital, including intriguing insights about fund performance relative to size.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
CDC Director Clashed Over Vaccine Orders
- Susan Monarez resisted orders she considered illegal or unscientific, triggering her ouster and multiple resignations.
- The departures reflect deep internal conflict between CDC leadership and HHS appointees over vaccine policy.
Core Dispute: CDC Guidance Versus State Autonomy
- Reports say Monarez refused to sign directives that would effectively tell states they needn't follow CDC vaccine guidance.
- That refusal centered the conflict on whether CDC would rubber-stamp guidance undermining scientific consensus.
Advisory Panel Picks Eroded Trust
- Secretary Kennedy handpicked an ACIP advisory committee that includes vaccine skeptics, raising trust concerns.
- That committee's recommendations would have required CDC sign-off, intensifying the standoff.