An interview with an ousted CDC vaccine adviser: ‘Scientific expertise is no longer of use’

STAT talked to Helen Chu of the University of Washington on the termination of ACIP members and the future of vaccine policy.

June 11, 2025 Check out STAT+

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Screen capture via Youtube STAT+ | Ousted CDC vaccine adviser says RFK Jr.'s message is clear: 'Scientific expertise is no longer of use' University of Washington professor says disbanding ACIP sends a message that scientific expertise is no longer of use for vaccine policy By Helen Branswell STAT+ | Cassidy is circulating a proposed law to push down U.S. drug prices, backing a key Trump ambition Cassidy's proposal to lower U.S. drug prices offers support to one of President Trump's major ambitions. By John Wilkerson Firing of CDC's vaccine advisers puts spotlight on RFK Jr.'s promises to Cassidy Video fact check: Did HHS Secretary Kennedy break his promise to Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy when he fired the CDC vaccine committee? STAT breaks it down. By Chelsea Cirruzzo and Alex Hogan Justin Sullivan/Getty Images MAHA-friendly bill in Texas would put warning labels on foods with any of 44 additives Gov. Greg Abbott hasn't committed to signing Texas Senate Bill 25. In new tactic, bill targets food additives and dyes, not ingredients like sodium, sugar. By Sarah Todd STAT+ | RFK Jr.'s new chronic disease agency faces a roadblock: Congress To create the agency at the heart of his MAHA agenda, RFK Jr. will need some help from Congress. By Daniel Payne, Isabella Cueto, and Chelsea Cirruzzo HHS reverses hundreds of CDC firings The divisions being reinstated by the Trump administration include those focused on STI prevention and environmental health. By Chelsea Cirruzzo Rick Bowmer/AP Women, young adults, and Native people hit hard by rapid increase in alcohol liver deaths, study finds Alcohol-associated liver disease deaths surged since 2018; cirrhosis, hepatitis drive mortality surge in women, young adults, and Indigenous people. By Isabella Cueto Opinion: The crucial Sickle Cell Data Collection program is in jeopardy Without the Sickle Cell Data Collection program, efforts to improve access to health care for people with sickle cell disease risk falling short. By Sarah Reeves

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