Listen to the article
National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya will assume additional responsibilities as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to an administration official speaking on condition of anonymity Wednesday.
The appointment marks the third leadership change at the CDC during President Donald Trump’s second term, underscoring ongoing turbulence at the nation’s premier public health agency. The New York Times first reported the dual appointment before official announcements were made.
Bhattacharya steps into the role following significant upheaval at the agency. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. controversially dismissed then-CDC Director Susan Monarez last summer, barely a month after her Senate confirmation. Monarez, a career government scientist, later testified to Congress that her firing came after she refused to approve Kennedy’s proposed changes to the childhood vaccination schedule without supporting scientific evidence.
Deputy Health Secretary Jim O’Neill had been serving as acting CDC director since Monarez’s dismissal. O’Neill, whose background is in investment rather than public health, was reportedly overseeing the controversial vaccine schedule modifications before his departure from the position last week.
Bhattacharya brings a contentious background to the role. A health economist and former Stanford University professor, he gained prominence as an outspoken critic of COVID-19 pandemic measures, particularly opposing lockdowns and certain vaccine policies. In his current role at the NIH, he oversees the nation’s largest funder of biomedical research, an organization with an annual budget exceeding $45 billion.
Despite concerns about his views on pandemic policies, Bhattacharya has recently expressed more mainstream public health positions on vaccines. At a recent Senate hearing, he endorsed childhood measles vaccination as “the best way to address the measles epidemic in this country.” He also testified that he had seen no evidence linking any single vaccine to autism, contradicting claims frequently promoted by vaccine skeptics, including Kennedy.
The appointment comes at a critical juncture for U.S. public health. The CDC, once regarded as the gold standard for global health agencies, faced significant criticism during the COVID-19 pandemic for communication missteps and shifting guidance. Under the Trump administration, the agency has undergone substantial restructuring, with critics concerned about the politicization of scientific work.
Public health experts have expressed concern about the rapid leadership turnover at the agency. Dr. Richard Besser, former acting CDC director and current president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, noted in a recent interview that “consistent leadership is crucial for public health agencies, especially during times of emerging threats.”
The CDC faces numerous challenges beyond leadership stability, including addressing recent measles outbreaks, monitoring emerging infectious diseases, and rebuilding public trust in health institutions. The agency’s annual budget of approximately $9 billion funds crucial public health initiatives nationwide.
Trump administration officials have indicated they plan to identify a permanent CDC director who would require Senate confirmation. This process could take months, leaving Bhattacharya in the dual role for an extended period.
The appointment raises questions about how Bhattacharya will balance the demands of leading two major health institutions simultaneously. The NIH and CDC, while both under the Department of Health and Human Services umbrella, have distinct missions—with the NIH focused on research and the CDC on disease prevention, surveillance and public health protection.
Public health advocates are watching closely to see how Bhattacharya’s leadership might influence the CDC’s scientific independence and public messaging, particularly regarding vaccine recommendations and infectious disease response.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
10 Comments
Curious to see how Bhattacharya’s dual role as NIH and CDC director will work in practice. Effective coordination between these two critical agencies will be essential, especially during the ongoing pandemic.
That’s a good point. Bhattacharya will need to carefully manage his time and priorities to ensure neither the NIH nor the CDC suffers from divided attention.
The CDC has faced a lot of turmoil lately. Hopefully Bhattacharya can bring some much-needed stability and focus on science-driven policy during his tenure as acting director.
This seems like a politically-motivated move by the administration. I hope Bhattacharya can maintain the CDC’s independence and focus on science-based policymaking, despite the political pressure.
That’s a valid concern. The CDC’s credibility has been damaged by past controversies, so it will be crucial for Bhattacharya to restore public trust through transparent, evidence-based leadership.
Interesting development at the CDC. Bhattacharya seems well-qualified, but the ongoing leadership changes raise concerns about stability and continuity at this critical public health agency.
I agree, the frequent turnover is troubling and could undermine the CDC’s effectiveness. Hopefully Bhattacharya can bring some much-needed consistency during this transition period.
This is a concerning development that raises questions about the administration’s commitment to an independent, non-partisan CDC. Bhattacharya will need to demonstrate his ability to resist political pressure and uphold the agency’s core mission.
I share your skepticism. The CDC’s credibility has taken a hit, and Bhattacharya will have his work cut out for him to restore public trust in the agency’s leadership and decision-making.
Given Bhattacharya’s background in medicine and public health, he may be a good choice to steady the ship at the CDC. However, the circumstances of his appointment raise red flags about political interference.