CDC New Director: Vaccines and mRNA flu shot
As if regurgitating the Covid 19 pandemic required another round of national debate to settle the question of safety and effectiveness of vaccine injections, the FDA has recently approved a new Moderna mRNA-based flu shot (mFlusiva) specifically marketed for the elderly (over 50) population.
It was that senior population which suffered more Covid 19 deaths than any other segment of citizenry: during 2020 81% of deaths were over 65, in 2022 92% of fatalities were seniors and between 2022 – 2024 81.3% of deaths were seniors.
Earlier in its approval process, a top FDA official blocked Moderna’s application per Secretary Kennedy’s heightened awareness of vaccine safety until an ‘independent’’ panel of advisers stepped in to recommend FDA approval.
In 2025, President Trump labeled mRNA a “medical miracle” under an “emergency use authorization” which translates into bypassing any rule or regulation; at the same time, HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy halted twenty two vaccine development projects as he cut the mRNA budget $500,000. “The data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. We’re shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate.”
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Clearly, as a result of Covid 19, the CDC is in the cross hairs of public opinion with recent polling showing that trust in the CDC has fallen from 77% in the spring of 2025 to 50% in March–April 2026, its lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic. Even State health department trust has declined from 80% to 66% with local heath department confidence having declined from 82% to 70%.
During the Covid 19 pandemic, the nation’s health agencies experienced a series of disruptive events including a shooting at the CDC HQ in August, 2025 by a heavily armed irate consumer questioning Covid’s effectiveness. That shooting killed one police officer.
Those Federal health agencies continued to experience an unsettling lack of professional continuity during a year long absence of leadership at the CDC when Dr. Susan Monarez was relieved of her position after only one month on the job.
In the interim, NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya doubled up at the CDC until a permanent replacement had been appointed.
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On April 21, President Trump nominated Dr. Erica Schwartz to become Director of the CDC, still the nation’s top health agency. With an impressive resume, Dr. Schwarz is a graduate of Brown University with a bioengineering degree and a Medical degree in 1998 as well as a Master of Public Health Degree including a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maryland in 2005.
Dr. Schwartz served as Deputy Surgeon General under President Trump, is a retired Rear Admiral in the US Coast Guard and served as a Navy Occupational Medicine physician including Chief of the Occupational Medicine Clinic and the Immunization Clinic and head of the preventive medicine department at the Naval Medical Clinic in Annapolis, and according to her Department of Homeland Security profile, with a reputation for promoting the efficacy and safety for childhood vaccines.
“As CDC director, my sacred responsibility is to provide the American people with public health guidance that is clear, honest and evidence-based,” Schwartz said. “I will never betray the science.”
On July 23rd, Dr. Schwartz’s nomination was approved by the Senate HELP Committee on a mostly party line 12 – 10 vote with Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) voting Aye along with its GOP majority. With a total of 23 Members on the HELP Committee; only 22 votes were counted as perhaps one GOP Member did not vote.
Of special interest which may have cost Dr. Schwartz Democratic votes on the Committee was her support for vaccines and mRNA technology as “safe and effective.”
During the Committee hearing, Dr. Schwartz was asked how she would handle pressure to accept anti science “conspiracy” and her willingness to address anti-science issues.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) (also a doctor) and Chair of the Committee inquired whether she would be willing to push back specifically if Secretary Kennedy sought to override scientific evidence on vaccines. She responded affirmatively.
Cassidy cited that Trump’s vaccine order: ‘The president does not have the expertise’ “We need a CDC director that will actually stand up to crazy, stupid things being said that undermine faith in immunization.”
Dr. Cassidy’s question suggests a potential conflict that prior to Secretary Kennedy’s appointment to the HHS, he was founder of the Children’s Health Defense which was an opponent of vaccines.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (D- Vt.) who is ranking minority on the Committee asked Dr. Schwartz if she would ‘have the guts’ to stand up to what he called anti-science, conspiracy theories backed by the Trump Administration which presumably includes the use of vaccines.
On August 5, the full Senate approved Dr. Schwartz nomination as CDC Director on a 51-44 party line vote with Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.) the only Democrat to vote Aye including four Not Voting.
During Committee consideration, as Senators articulated their concerns and positions, Dr. Schwartz responded in an intelligent, thoughtful manner; yet the gap between Dems and GOP was stark given that the country can no longer afford each party to remain committed to its favorite corporate donor.
As Dr. Schwartz was approved with the majority of Senate GOP votes, the Democrats offered a surprise in voting against her nomination as unable to garner a meaningful necessary bipartisan support; thereby suggesting the lack of strong bipartisan support may provide a challenge to facilitate a coherent national health care strategy.
Given the CDC’s history on mRNA and its special role on national health issues, the CDC continues to play a critical role in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, vaccination guidance, and chronic disease prevention.
The votes on Dr. Schwartz nomination appeared to indicate a contradictory split with some GOP and some Dems favoring vaccines as Secretary Kennedy pursued an alleged ‘crusade” against vaccines.
Dr. Schwartz and HHS Secretary Kennedy have already exhibited a difference of opinion on the efficacy of mRNA related flu shots and the use of vaccines to stimulate immunity to a particular infectious disease or pathogen.
In response to Dr. Schwartz’ nomination as CDC Director, Secretary Kennedy was asked if he would support vaccine guidance Dr. Erica Schwartz might issue if confirmed as CDC director. Kennedy replied: “I’m not going to make that kind of commitment.”
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As FDA approval of new mRNA vaccines has come to the attention of Mike Adams also known as the Health Ranger, well known in the alternative health field refers to what he calls ‘vaccine fallout” as he warns about Moderna’s new mRNAv vaccines which he believes are ‘bioweapon factories.”
Adams has done extensive research on vaccines and recommends Zinc as a nutritional supplement to protect one’s body from harmful bioweapon injections with his “Health Ranger Rules for Staying Alive. Adams reminds us that there is no legal immunity as we are all living in an Age of extermination of the human population.
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