CDC Deputy Director Shuford Reportedly Leaving After Six Months

Jennifer Shuford, the CDC's deputy director and chief medical officer hired in April after leading Texas's measles outbreak response, is expected to leave after next week's midterm elections, roughly six months into the job. The Washington Post broke the story on Oct. 26 with anonymous sources. Shuford told the Post she is leaving to spend more time with her family. One source pointed to a family health issue; another said she disagreed with the administration's vaccine-policy approach. The CDC and White House did not respond outside business hours. Her exit is reported against disputes over vaccine policy under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The FDA approved mFlusiva, which tested well in older adults, yet the CDC has issued no use recommendation, a break from longstanding practice. Previous CDC director Susan Monarez was fired last year; her attorneys said she refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts. Current director Erica Schwartz was appointed this past spring. Yale health-policy researcher Jason Schwartz said that even if credible evidence for a new vaccine policy has reached a tipping point, there is no obvious mechanism to formalize that change. Further official comment and the precise reason remain unresolved.