WATCH: Ousted CDC Director Monarez testifies on what led to her firing

In her opening remarks in front of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Monarez said Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanded two things from her during an Aug. 25 meeting that were “inconsistent with my oath of office and the ethics required of a public official.”
Monarez said Kennedy wanted her to commit in advance to approve every recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a key vaccine committee that the health secretary has replaced with experts who shared his vaccine skepticism. Monarez said she could not do that without first seeing scientific evidence. She also said she was directed by Kennedy to dismiss career officials responsible for vaccine policy.

Kennedy suggested Monarez should resign if she was unwilling to do both, the scientist recounted.
“Even under pressure I could not replace evidence with ideology or compromise my integrity,” Monarez said.

Kennedy has denied these claims and told senators earlier this month that she was lying.
Monarez’s firing led to the resignations of several other top health officials, including chief medical officer Dr. Debra Houry, who also testified in Wednesday’s hearing.

The hearing comes a day before a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the panel that issues vaccine recommendations. Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine advocacy, has come under fire for removing all members of the board and replacing them with people who align with his views. The panel is expected to vote on authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines, among others.

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