On August 27, 2025, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis resigned from his role as Director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
Who Is Dr. Demetre Daskalakis?
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis started at the CDC as the Director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention on December 21, 2020.
He gained national recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic as New York City’s deputy health commissioner, where he promoted vaccine access.
Daskalakis is openly gay and has been public about his identity, including in professional contexts and media discussions about his work in public health.
Why Did Daskalakis Resign?
Dr. Daskalakis announced his resignation on August 27, 2025, effective the following day.
In a letter shared on social media, he cited ethical and scientific concerns about the direction of the CDC under the Trump administration and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
His resignation coincided with the resignation of CDC Director Susan Monarez and other senior officials, including Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry and Dr. Daniel Jernigan, Director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.
Daskalakis expressed alarm over what he described as the “weaponizing of public health”.
His resignation letter stated, “I am unable to serve in an environment that treats CDC as a tool to generate policies and materials that do not reflect scientific reality and are designed to hurt rather than to improve the public’s health.”
Daskalakis’ Views on Vaccines
Dr. Daskalakis is a strong supporter of vaccines, viewing them as critical tools for protecting public health.
Differences with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Daskalakis’ resignation stems from disagreements with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services Secretary appointed by President Donald Trump.
Kennedy has established updated vaccine policies. Key points include:
- Changes to Vaccine Schedules: Kennedy announced changes to the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, not requiring children and pregnant women to receive the vaccine unless individuals decide to receive the vaccine.
- Dismantling of ACIP: In June 2025, Kennedy fired all 17 members of the ACIP, a panel of experts that advises the CDC on vaccine recommendations. He claimed the committee was “plagued with conflicts of interest” and needed a “clean sweep” to restore public trust.
- Policy Transparency: Daskalakis accused Kennedy of “radical non-transparency” and using social media to announce major policy shifts without consulting career scientists.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Views on Vaccines
As the founder of Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine advocacy group, RFK JR has long questioned the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
Kennedy argues that vaccines are overused and that their risks are understated due to conflicts of interest within public health agencies.
He has claimed that the ACIP, which guides vaccine policy, acts as a “rubber stamp” for pharmaceutical companies.
A quote from Kennedy, published in a June 2025 Wall Street Journal op-ed, reflects his stance: “A clean sweep is needed to re-establish public confidence in vaccine science.”
He has also suggested that vaccines may contribute to chronic diseases,.
Kennedy’s actions, such as removing ACIP members and limiting COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, align with his goal of reshaping vaccine policy to prioritize what he calls “evidence-based medicine” and “common sense.”
Upcoming Studies Under RFK Jr.
Under Kennedy’s leadership, the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel is set to explore controversial topics that align with his skepticism. At a June 2025 ACIP meeting, the new panel, handpicked by Kennedy, announced plans to evaluate:
- Cumulative Effects of Childhood Vaccines: The panel will investigate whether the current childhood vaccine schedule, which protects against diseases like measles, mumps, and polio, overwhelms immune systems or causes harm.
- Thimerosal in Vaccines: The panel will review the use of thimerosal, an ethylmercury preservative in some multi-dose flu vaccines. Kennedy has called thimerosal “dangerous,” despite its removal from most childhood vaccines in 2001 and extensive studies confirming its safety.
These studies have raised concerns among public health experts, who fear they could lead to lower immunization rates.
Additional Important Information
- Wave of Resignations: Daskalakis’ resignation is part of a broader exodus of CDC leadership. The ousting of CDC Director Susan Monarez, who resisted Kennedy’s vaccine policy changes, and the resignations of other senior officials signal deep unrest within the agency. Critics argue this turnover weakens the CDC’s ability to respond to public health threats.
- Public Health Impact: The American Academy of Pediatrics has called Kennedy’s vaccine policy changes “deeply troubling,” warning that they could confuse families.
- Kennedy’s Broader Agenda: Beyond vaccines, Kennedy has cut funding for state immunization programs, halted research on vaccine hesitancy, and ended contracts for HIV and bird flu vaccine development.
- Public Reaction: Posts on X reflect divided sentiments. Some users praise Kennedy’s actions as a push for transparency, while others, including scientists, condemn them as dangerous and unscientific.
What’s Next?
The resignations and policy shifts under Kennedy’s leadership raise questions about the future of U.S. public health. The new ACIP, which includes vaccine skeptics like Dr. Robert Malone and Martin Kulldorff, is set to make recommendations on COVID-19, influenza, and other vaccines in upcoming meetings.
Meanwhile, groups like the Vaccine Integrity Project are exploring independent bodies to provide evidence-based vaccine guidance.
Dr. Daskalakis’ departure underscores a divide between career scientists and the current administration’s approach to public health.
This article was updated to include information about a social post made on a social network.
For more information on Daskalakis, visit the CDC website at cdc.gov/about/leadership/ncird
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