Slate Daily Feed What Next - Can You Get a COVID Vaccine?
Sep 8, 2025
Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and global health reporter for The New York Times, dives deep into the tumultuous state of public health under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She discusses the chaos at the CDC, where workforce cuts and leadership turnover have left the organization reeling. Vaccine skepticism is on the rise, complicating accessibility and eroding public trust. Mandavilli also highlights the disparity in healthcare access across the U.S. and the urgent need for clear communication amid ongoing vaccine policy challenges.
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Agency Capacity Was Severely Eroded
- HHS purges and reorganizations since February eroded CDC capacity and institutional memory.
- Budget cuts and lost contracts further weakened CDC operations and data expertise.
Recommendations Drive Real Access
- RFK Jr.'s policy changes removed CDC recommendations for many groups, shifting downstream coverage and access.
- Without ACIP recommendations, insurance often won't cover vaccines, reducing practical availability.
Mass Firing of Vaccine Advisors
- RFK Jr. dismissed 17 independent ACIP members and replaced them with handpicked appointees.
- At least one CDC official resigned in protest after the mass dismissals.