White House Taps RFK Jr. Deputy as Acting CDC Director, Signaling Shift in Vaccine Policy Approach

White House Taps RFK Jr. Deputy as Acting CDC Director, Signaling Shift in Vaccine Policy Approach

Washington, D.C. — The White House on Friday named Jim O’Neill, a longtime associate of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The decision underscores Kennedy’s growing influence over public health agencies as the administration pursues a reset on vaccine policy — a move drawing both cautious praise and sharp criticism across the political spectrum.

A Familiar Face in Washington

O’Neill, a former Health and Human Services official and biotech investor, is no stranger to federal health policy debates. He has aligned himself with Kennedy on calls for greater scrutiny of vaccine safety while also advocating for deregulation in parts of the biomedical sector.

White House officials emphasized that O’Neill’s appointment is temporary but necessary to “stabilize the CDC” after the abrupt departure of Director Dr. Ana Monarez earlier this month.

“Jim brings management experience and a track record of challenging the status quo,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. “The president is confident he can provide continuity while long-term leadership decisions are considered.”

Kennedy’s Growing Imprint

The choice highlights Kennedy’s growing sway inside the administration. Since taking office as health secretary, he has moved quickly to cancel several government contracts for mRNA vaccine research and has elevated skeptics of the technology into senior roles. His critics see the O’Neill pick as another sign that Kennedy’s vision — one that questions decades of federal consensus on immunization — is reshaping U.S. public health priorities.

Supporters, however, say Kennedy is right to push for transparency and accountability. “Americans deserve a CDC that listens to concerns about vaccine safety and pharmaceutical influence,” said Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, a physician who has backed Kennedy’s agenda.

Concerns from Both Sides

Reaction to the appointment reflects deep divisions. Many Republicans, particularly populist conservatives, welcomed the move as overdue reform of what they call a bureaucratic and overly cozy relationship between regulators and drug companies.

But traditional public health experts and moderate Democrats warned that political moves at the CDC risk undermining public trust. “This is not the time for experiments in leadership,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, a former CDC director. “The CDC needs a steady, science-first voice at the helm, not more turbulence.”

Even some centrists expressed unease. “While O’Neill may bring fresh thinking, what’s most important now is credibility,” said Sen. Angus King (I-ME). “People need to believe that decisions are driven by science, not politics.”

The Balancing Act Ahead

For now, O’Neill is expected to serve through the fall while the White House weighs candidates for a permanent director. In the meantime, the CDC faces pressing challenges: preparing for the winter respiratory season, managing a new wave of opioid-related overdoses, and continuing global disease surveillance at a time of geopolitical tension.

From a centrist perspective, the appointment illustrates the competing imperatives of reform and stability. On one hand, there is legitimate public demand for greater accountability in public health institutions. On the other, there are risks that constant turnover and politicization could erode confidence in science-based guidance.

Whether O’Neill can strike the right balance may determine not only the CDC’s direction but also how Americans view the government’s ability to safeguard health in an era of fractured trust.