According to sources familiar with the matter, the White House is considering former Republican Representative Michael Burgess to lead the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This comes after the withdrawal of vaccine critic Dave Weldon’s nomination last week. Burgess, a 74-year-old Texas physician who retired from Congress in January after 22 years, is seen as the likely nominee, although no final decision has been made.
During the pandemic, Burgess emphasized the importance of vaccines in protecting Americans from life-threatening diseases and addressing vaccine hesitancy. The CDC director role is crucial in responding to public health threats, such as the recent measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico. Burgess would report to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has raised concerns about vaccine safety in the past.
Kennedy has promised to protect existing vaccination programs and ensure access to vaccines for those in need. The CDC plays a key role in making vaccine recommendations and funding vaccinations for children. Current CDC leader Susan Monarez was previously deputy director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health.
Weldon’s nomination was unexpectedly withdrawn before his Senate confirmation hearing last week, citing a lack of votes for confirmation. Weldon, a physician critical of vaccines, did not move forward with the nomination process.
