Fact Check: Dr. Fiona Havers Resigned from the CDC in Protest of RFK Jr.'s Orders
What We Know
Dr. Fiona Havers, a senior scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), resigned on June 16, 2025, amid significant changes to the agency's vaccine recommendations initiated by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Havers, who led the CDC's surveillance of respiratory viruses including COVID-19 and RSV, expressed her concerns in an email stating, "Unfortunately, I no longer have confidence that these data will be used objectively or evaluated with appropriate scientific rigor to make evidence-based vaccine policy decisions" (Washington Post). Her resignation followed Kennedy's decision to replace all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) with individuals who have previously criticized mRNA vaccines (Reuters).
Havers had been instrumental in presenting critical hospitalization data that influenced vaccine policy decisions. Her departure is part of a broader trend of resignations from the CDC, with another official, Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos, also quitting in response to similar concerns regarding the integrity of vaccine recommendations (CBS News).
Analysis
The claim that Dr. Fiona Havers resigned from the CDC in protest of RFK Jr.'s orders is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Washington Post and Reuters both report on her resignation and the context surrounding it, including the abrupt firing of ACIP members and the changes to vaccine recommendations. Havers' email to colleagues, which was obtained by the media, clearly articulates her loss of confidence in the agency's direction under Kennedy's leadership.
The reliability of these sources is strong; both the Washington Post and Reuters are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. Additionally, the concerns raised by Havers and echoed by other CDC officials and former ACIP members highlight a significant shift in the agency's approach to vaccine policy, which has raised alarms about the potential implications for public health (Daily Beast).
Critically, the statements made by HHS spokespersons emphasize a commitment to scientific integrity, yet the actions taken by Kennedy have been perceived as undermining the established processes that guide vaccine recommendations (CBS News). This dichotomy between official statements and the actions taken raises questions about the credibility of the new direction under Kennedy.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
Dr. Fiona Havers did indeed resign from the CDC on June 16, 2025, in protest of the changes to vaccine recommendations ordered by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms her resignation and the context of her decision, reflecting significant concerns about the integrity of vaccine policy at the CDC.
Sources
- CDC virus expert resigns after RFK Jr.'s purge of vaccine ...
- US CDC official in charge of COVID, RSV data resigns ...
- CDC official overseeing COVID hospitalization data resigns after RFK Jr ...
- CDC Virus Expert Fiona Havers Quits With a Scary Warning After RFK Jr ...
- CDC virus expert resigns after RFK Jr.'s purge of vaccine advisers
