The C.D.C.’s Vaccine Chief on Why Quitting Was His Only Option

Over the past 24 hours, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been plunged into turmoil.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tried to fire the agency’s director, Susan Monarez, igniting a standoff that prompted three other senior officials to resign.

One of those officials, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, explains why he chose to take a stand.

Guest: Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, a former director at the C.D.C.

Background reading: 

  • The Covid-19 pandemic made the C.D.C. a frequent target of lawmakers and segments of the general public.
  • Mr. Kennedy’s move to dismiss Dr. Monarez came after she declined to fire agency leaders or to accept all recommendations from a vaccine advisory panel, according to people with knowledge of the events.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

Photo: Alyssa Pointer/Reuters

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