Sanders releases trove of internal HHS emails showing RFK Jr. pressured CDC over vaccine messaging
The emails show Kennedy directed vaccine restrictions, canceled flu campaigns and pushed CDC changes without agency input, Sanders said.
- On Thursday, Sen. Bernie Sanders released a tranche of HHS emails appearing to show HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pressured the CDC regarding vaccine messaging and advisory decisions.
- Emails from August 2025 show Kennedy's chief of staff, Matthew Buckham, demanded a "political review of major policy decisions," prompting the eventual firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez eight days later.
- HHS communications director Andrew Nixon ordered CDC staff to pull flu vaccine ad buys during flu season, while Kennedy removed all 17 members of the vaccine advisory panel to "depoliticize" the group.
- Calling the firing "outrageous," Sanders accused Kennedy of removing Monarez for failing to "rubber stamp recommendations" from the vaccine panel and requested a bipartisan investigation.
- Potential legislative battles loom as Sanders urged HELP committee chair Sen. Bill Cassidy to schedule hearings on Kennedy's history of promoting debunked vaccine claims, signaling scrutiny over the agency's operational autonomy.
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Sanders Says HHS Emails Show RFK Jr. Pressured CDC on Vaccines
Washington, D.C. – Sen. Bernie Sanders released internal Health and Human Services emails Thursday that he says show Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pressured the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over vaccine messaging and recommendations. Sanders, the ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said the emails were provided by former CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry. The documents appear to s…
Sanders releases trove of internal HHS emails showing RFK Jr. pressured CDC over vaccine messaging
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Thursday released a tranche of Health and Human Services (HHS) emails that appear to show HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pressuring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over its vaccine messaging. Emails indicate that Kennedy directed the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel to restrict access to vaccines, allowed…
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