Experts warn NIH director now leading CDC will push RFK Jr's agenda'

"Jay Bhattacharya, the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was named the acting director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday, making him the fourth leader in a year at the embattled agency in an unprecedented move that further consolidates power among a small group of men at the helm of US health agencies."

"He's been an ineffectual health leader whose attention will be further fractured, and as a close ally to Robert F Kennedy Jr, secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services and a longtime vaccine critic. Bhattacharya may sign off on further changes to the vaccine schedule, observers said. Bhattacharya will continue serving in his current role as NIH director, where he has overseen dramatic cuts to research and staff."

"Staff say the controversial health economist has had little to do with the daily operations of the NIH. He won't actually run the CDC. Just as he doesn't actually run NIH, said Jenna Norton, an NIH program officer speaking in her personal capacity. Jeremy Berg, former director of National Institute of General Medical Sciences, had a similar response. Now, rather than largely ignoring the actual operations of one agency, he can largely ignore the actual operations of two, he said."

Jay Bhattacharya was appointed acting director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention while remaining director of the National Institutes of Health, making him the fourth CDC leader in a year and concentrating power among a small group of men leading US health agencies. He is a close ally of Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine critic, and may approve changes to the vaccine schedule. Bhattacharya has overseen cuts to NIH research and staff. CDC has cut state grants and enacted layoffs while reshaping routine vaccination policy. Staff report he has had little involvement in daily NIH operations.

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