By Donna Westfall – September 4, 2025 Over 1,000 Health & Human Services (HHS) employees have asked for RFK, Jr's removal. Why? Because he removed the short term Director of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). How short term? After being confirmed by the Senate, she was in that role for less than a month. Who is she? Dr. Susan Monarez. Reportedly has a strong record of integrity. In her place, RFK, Jr. appointed Jim O'Neill as acting director. 50 year old, Dr. Susan Monarez Let's dissect this. The battleground is over Covid 19 vaccine policy changes: May 27, 2025 RFK, Jr. announces that the vaccines would no longer be included in the CDC's recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women. According to a poll May, 2025 by KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) "Fewer than half of the public say they have confidence in the FDA and CDC to carry out their core responsibilities…" I don't know about you, but I personally haven't trusted the CDC in decades. Having RFK, Jr. in a position of authority gave me hope that he can turn that organization around. Also, who doesn't know someone that died after getting a Covid 19 shot? Let's take a quick look at the new director and learn a few statistics about the CDC: Acting Director Jim O'Neill He's not a physician. He's not a scientist. He was confirmed six days ago. At issue: can he restore morale at the agency? Can he preserve the credibility of scientifically based recommendations? I think this month's vaccine advisory meeting is going to be the real test. The approved budget for 2025 is $9.683 billion. Number of employees: Before RFK, Jr. 2024 – 12,820 before workforce reductions. Then, 11,814 employees for fiscal year 2024 – September 2024. After RFK, Jr. February 2025, about 2,400 CDC employees were let go. In June 2025, 450 were brought back. In August 2025, 600 received permanent termination notices. Quick question. Can someone tell me what Youth and Community Violence Prevention have to do with the CDC?