Concerns Over Health Policy Shifts Under Kennedy
Dr. Demetre Daskarakis, who previously served as Deputy Coordinator of the Monkeypox Response under former President Joe Biden, expressed serious concerns on Sunday regarding the direction of U.S. health policies under Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Daskarakis, who became the acting director of the National Centers for Immunology and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC in August 2023, criticized Kennedy’s team for altering vaccine guidelines more based on ideology than scientific evidence.
In an interview on “This Week” on August 28, Daskarakis highlighted what he saw as a significant issue, particularly around the updated Covid-19 vaccination schedule for children. He noted that the revised guidelines suggested only children with underlying health conditions should be vaccinated, which he finds concerning. “What we’re seeing is just the tip of the iceberg,” he commented, emphasizing the vulnerability of young children, especially those between six months and two years old.
Daskarakis argued that such restrictive recommendations could make vaccines harder to access, ultimately leaving the most vulnerable children at risk. “In that age group, I believe vaccination is important. Not everyone might agree, but restricting accessibility can limit insurance coverage,” he said, expressing his concerns as a physician committed to the Hippocratic Oath.
He also indicated that former officials from the CDC believe that the current approach to Covid-19 is just the beginning. Daskarakis predicts potential future changes targeting other vaccines, such as the hepatitis B vaccine given to newborns. “I might be mistaken, but I’m seeing indications that they could focus on shifting vaccination policies further,” he remarked, noting that adjustments to the hepatitis B vaccine schedule are on the agenda for an upcoming September meeting.
Daskarakis’s resignation letter criticized the previous administration’s policies for failing to align with scientific realities. He expressed worries that narrowing vaccine recommendations for children and “pregnant people” could jeopardize public health and erode trust in science. Having spent five years leading the Sexual Disintegration-related Program at the CDC, he gained attention for his candid public health messaging. Following his resignation, he lamented that the CDC’s expertise no longer seemed to influence decision-making effectively.
