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US Health Department Signals Progress on Selecting New CDC Head
Top official says interviews for CDC director role are encouraging, after recent leadership shakeup.
Mar. 20, 2026 at 4:21pm
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A top U.S. health official said he is optimistic about prospects for selecting a new leader of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), signaling progress after recent turmoil over the agency's vaccine policies. The Health and Human Services Department's chief counselor, Chris Klomp, said he has been encouraged by interviews for the CDC director role, which has been filled by acting directors since the previous director was fired last year amid clashes over vaccine policies under the current Health Secretary.
Why it matters
The CDC has been in flux since the previous director was ousted, with the agency's vaccine advisory committee also facing upheaval and legal challenges to changes made by the current Health Secretary. Stabilizing the CDC's leadership is seen as crucial for restoring public trust and effective pandemic response.
The details
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s overhaul of vaccine policies has upset the government's public health apparatus, which has the CDC at its core. A federal judge has temporarily blocked key parts of Kennedy's vaccines overhaul, including his appointments to the CDC's vaccines advisory committee and changes to childhood vaccine recommendations. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has said it would appeal the decision, but a member of the advisory committee said the group was being disbanded and would be recreated to avoid a lengthy appeals process.
- In August 2025, then-CDC Director Susan Monarez was fired by the Trump administration after objecting to proposed vaccine policy changes.
- In February 2026, Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill was removed from his role as acting CDC director as part of a shakeup.
- On March 19, 2026, Health and Human Services chief counselor Chris Klomp said he was optimistic about prospects for selecting a new CDC director.
The players
Chris Klomp
The chief counselor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who said he is optimistic about prospects for selecting a new CDC director.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The current U.S. Health Secretary, whose overhaul of vaccine policies has upset the public health apparatus and led to legal challenges.
Susan Monarez
The previous CDC director who was fired in 2025 after objecting to proposed vaccine policy changes.
Jim O'Neill
The former Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary who was removed from his role as acting CDC director in February 2026.
Jay Bhattacharya
The current U.S. National Institutes of Health Director, who took over as acting CDC director after the February 2026 shakeup.
What they’re saying
“I'm excited about (the) number of people that I've had the privilege to get to meet (and) interview and I'm very optimistic that we will select… an excellent leader for that agency.”
— Chris Klomp, Chief Counselor, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
“Anything short of a qualified committee selected through the proper process will meet our challenge.”
— Richard Hughes IV, Lead Counsel, American Academy of Pediatrics
What’s next
A federal judge has temporarily blocked key parts of Health Secretary Kennedy's vaccines overhaul, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has said it would appeal the decision. The outcome of that appeal could have significant implications for the CDC's vaccine advisory committee and its leadership.
The takeaway
The ongoing turmoil at the CDC, including the ousting of its previous director and the legal battles over the agency's vaccine policies, have undermined public trust in the nation's top public health authority. Stabilizing the CDC's leadership and restoring its credibility will be crucial for the agency to effectively respond to future public health crises.
