Senate confirms Susan Monarez as CDC director. This is what she’s mentioned about vaccines, fluoride and extra.

The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday alongside social gathering traces, 51 to 47, to substantiate Susan Monarez as the brand new director of the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. 

President Trump nominated her for the position in March, praising her as “an unbelievable mom and devoted public servant” who “understands the significance of defending our kids, our communities, and our future.” 

Monarez has been serving because the appearing head of the CDC since January, and beforehand labored as the pinnacle of the Superior Analysis Initiatives Company for Well being. She was considered as considerably shocking choose for the CDC position as a result of not like most up-to-date CDC administrators, she holds a Ph.D. however just isn’t a medical physician.

The CDC mentioned Monarez “brings many years of distinguished expertise in well being innovation, catastrophe preparedness, international well being, and biosecurity” to the company, and can assist advance the “mission to Make America Wholesome Once more.”

At her affirmation listening to earlier than the Senate’s Well being, Training, Labor and Pension (HELP) committee on July 9, Monarez garnered reward from the Republican chairman, Sen. Invoice Cassidy, who’s a doctor, for her dedication to rebuilding public belief within the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Democrats on the committee grilled her concerning the affect of cuts in federal funding for well being applications and medical analysis, and expressed concern concerning the CDC’s position beneath Well being and Human Companies Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 

Monarez was questioned by committee members a few vary of well being matters. Listed below are a few of these highlights.

Monarez on vaccines

Monarez confronted quite a few questions on vaccine suggestions. Kennedy has been a longtime vaccine critic who has pushed a discredited principle linking routine childhood photographs to autism, however throughout her listening to, Monarez refuted that view and said that she has “not seen a causal hyperlink between vaccines and autism.”

Amid a rising measles outbreak this 12 months, Kennedy has acknowledged the vaccine’s efficacy towards the illness whereas nonetheless saying he helps particular person selection. In a March interview with CBS Information, Kennedy publicly inspired folks to get the measles vaccine. 

“If I am confirmed as CDC director, I stay up for supporting the secretary with science and proof, and ensuring that I’m giving him the perfect info doable,” Monarez mentioned at her affirmation listening to. “Measles is a vital well being risk and we now have to ensure we’re doing every little thing that we are able to to forestall and mitigate it.”

Monarez was additionally requested concerning the continued availability and affordability of vaccines if the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, made up of latest RFK Jr. appointees, makes adjustments to suggestions.

“Vaccines completely save lives, and if I am confirmed as CDC director, I commit to creating positive we proceed to prioritize vaccine availability,” she mentioned.

Monarez on fluoride

Fluoride, one other subject Kennedy has spotlighted, was additionally a topic of dialogue throughout Monarez’s listening to. This 12 months, two states, Utah and Florida, turned the primary to ban the usage of fluoride in consuming water, the place it has been added for many years to assist stop tooth decay.

“Fluoride is a vital element to oral well being, and there are numerous features of utilizing fluoride to enhance oral well being — a direct utility could be very worthwhile,” Monarez mentioned.

Democratic Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland particularly requested Monarez whether or not the water in Potomac, Maryland, which has fluoridation, is protected for households.

Monarez replied: “I imagine the water in Potomac, Maryland is protected.”

Monarez on RFK Jr. and the measles outbreak 

Measles got here up repeatedly as senators questioned Monarez about how she would work together with Kennedy in her position on the CDC.

“The CDC director cannot carry out this important position except they’re politically impartial. Which signifies that you have to be prepared to disagree with political leaders primarily based on scientific proof,” Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire mentioned. “So, is there something that you simply disagree with Secretary Kennedy about?” 

“If I am confirmed as CDC director, I stay up for having technical discussions with the secretary. He has mentioned he values and prioritizes impartial considering and utilizing science to drive resolution making,” Monarez replied. “I’m an impartial thinker, and I’m a scientist, and I’ll welcome the chance to share my opinions primarily based on science and proof with him as he makes a few of these very troublesome selections.”

After Monarez sidestepped a query from Hassan about whether or not she disagrees with something Kennedy has finished, the senator bought extra particular, asking about Kennedy’s declare that it is “very troublesome for measles to kill a wholesome individual.” This 12 months’s measles outbreak, centered in West Texas, killed two youngsters who docs mentioned didn’t have earlier well being circumstances.

Monarez replied that measles is an “vital public well being risk” that may be deadly. 

Alexander Tin

contributed to this report.