Dr. Audrey

Applied Sociologist, PhD • @nycHealthy Comms Executive Director • @Mizzou @SLU_Official Alumna • Marathoner • Views are my own

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

Fact: Childhood vaccines are lifesaving.

Make sure your child is fully vaccinated: https://t.co/cmRnjqLsDk

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

Public health success often goes unseen. But the quiet, everyday efforts of public health workers keep us safe and healthy. From preventing outbreaks of diseases like measles, to making sure the food we eat is safe, here are some of the ways they make a difference.

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

A new Executive Order from @GovKathyHochul will allow pharmacists in New York to prescribe, order, and give the 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines. New Yorkers will not need a prescription from a doctor to get the updated vaccine.

Learn more: https://t.co/OLXf0Fxetf

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

New: New Yorkers will be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine directly from their pharmacist, no prescription required.

Read @NYCHealthCommr's statement on @GovKathyHochul's executive order:

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

Infectious diseases know no borders. Read @NYCHealthCommr Dr. Michelle Morse’s statement.

[DrDemetre @dr_demetre]

My resignation letter from CDC.

Dear Dr. Houry,

I am writing to formally resign from my position as Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective August 28, 2025, close of business.   I am happy to stay on for two weeks to provide transition, if requested.

This decision has not come easily, as I deeply value the work that the CDC does in safeguarding public health and am proud of my contributions to that critical mission. However, after much contemplation and reflection on recent developments and perspectives brought to light by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I find that the views he and his staff have shared challenge my ability to continue in my current role at the agency and in the service of the health of the American people. Enough is enough.

While I hold immense respect for the institution and my colleagues, I believe that it is imperative to align my professional responsibilities to my system of ethics and my understanding of the science of infectious disease, immunology, and my promise to serve the American people.  This step is necessary to ensure that I can contribute effectively in a capacity that allows me to remain true to my principles.

I am unable to serve in an environment that treats CDC as a tool to generate policies and materials that do not reflect scientific reality and are designed to hurt rather than to improve the public’s health.  The recent change in the adult and children’s immunization schedule threaten the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people.   The data analyses that supported this decision have never been shared with CDC despite my respectful requests to HHS and other leadership.  This lack of meaningful engagement was further compounded by a “frequently asked questions” document written to support the Secretary’s directive that was circulated by HHS without input from CDC subject matter experts and that cited studies that did not support the conclusions that were attributed to these authors.  Having worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people.

It is untenable to serve in an organization that is not afforded the opportunity to discuss decisions of scientific and public health importance released under the moniker of CDC.  The lack of communication by HHS and other CDC political leadership that culminates in social media posts announcing major policy changes without prior notice demonstrate a disregard of normal communication channels and common sense.  Having to retrofit analyses and policy actions to match inadequately thought-out announcements in poorly scripted videos or page long X posts should not be how organizations responsible for the health of people should function.  Some examples include the announcement of the change in the COVID-19 recommendations for children and pregnant people, the firing of scientists from ACIP by X post and an op-ed rather than direct communication with these valuable experts, the announcement of new ACIP members by X before onboarding and vetting have completed, and the release of term of reference for an ACIP workgroup that ignored all feedback from career staff at CDC.

The recent term of reference for the COVID vaccine work group created by this ACIP puts people of dubious intent and more dubious scientific rigor in charge of recommending vaccine policy to a director hamstrung and sidelined by an authoritarian leader.   Their desire to please a political base will result in death and disability of vulnerable children and adults.  Their base should be the people they serve not a political voting bloc.

I have always been first to challenge scientific and public health dogma in my career and was excited by the opportunity to do so again.  I was optimistic that there would be an opportunity to brief the Secretary about key topics such as measles, avian influenza, and the highly coordinated approach to the respiratory virus season.  Such briefings would allow exchange of ideas and a shared path to support the vision of “Making America Healthy Again.”  We are seven months into the new administration, and no CDC subject matter expert from my Center has ever briefed the Secretary.  I am not sure who the Secretary is listening to, but it is quite certainly not to us.  Unvetted and conflicted outside organizations seem to be the sources HHS use over the gold standard science of CDC and other reputable sources.  At a hearing, Secretary Kennedy said that Americans should not take medical advice from him.  To the contrary, an appropriately briefed and inquisitive Secretary should be a source of health information for the people he serves. As it stands now, I must agree with him, that he should not be considered a source of accurate information.

The intentional eroding of trust in low-risk vaccines favoring natural infection and unproven remedies will bring us to a pre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all will suffer.  I believe in nutrition and exercise.  I believe in making our food supply healthier, and I also believe in using vaccines to prevent death and disability.  Eugenics plays prominently in the rhetoric being generated and is derivative of a legacy that good medicine and science should continue to shun.

The recent shooting at CDC is not why I am resigning.  My grandfather, who I am named after, stood up to fascist forces in Greece and lost his life doing so.  I am resigning to make him and his legacy proud.   I am resigning because of the cowardice of a leader that cannot admit that HIS and his minions’ words over decades created an environment where violence like this can occur.  I reject his and his colleagues’ thoughts and prayers, and advise they direct those to people that they have not actively harmed.

For decades, I have been a trusted voice for the LGBTQ community when it comes to critical health topics.  I must also cite the recklessness of the administration in their efforts to erase transgender populations, cease critical domestic and international HIV programming, and terminate key research to support equity as part of my decision.

Public health is not merely about the health of the individual, but it is about the health of the community, the nation, the world. The nation’s health security is at risk and is in the hands of people focusing on ideological self-interest.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration that I have been afforded during my time at the CDC. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals who are committed to improving the health and well-being of communities across the nation even when under attack from within both physically and psychologically.

Thank you once again for the support and guidance I have received from you and previous CDC leadership throughout my tenure. I wish the CDC continued success in its vital mission and that HHS reverse its dangerous course to dismantle public health as a practice and as an institution.  If they continue the current path, they risk our personal well-being and the security of the United States.

Sincerely,

Demetre C. Daskalakis MD MPH (he/his/him)

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

We are investigating a Legionnaires' disease cluster in Central Harlem (ZIPs 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039). If you live or work in this area and have flu-like symptoms, see a health care provider right away.

Here's what you should know: https://t.co/prnGYyaxXt

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

As part of a new federal bill, $1 trillion is about to be cut from Medicaid. These cuts will have profound implications for millions of Americans, including here in NYC, the economy, and our health care system.

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

What is thimerosal?? 🤔

You may have been hearing a lot about it lately. Let’s get the facts straight.

[Dr. Alister Martin @NYCHealthCommr]

In light of federal disinvestment in public health that threatens the lives & livelihoods of people nationwide, the NYC Board of Health affirms @nychealthy’s commitment to protecting & defending the health of ALL NYers & remains a trusted voice. Read: https://t.co/z4iBDY6CSv

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

Swimming in contaminated water, including ponds, pools, and beaches, can cause serious illnesses and infections.

Never swim in areas not marked for swimming, where there are no lifeguards, or areas under an advisory or closure.

Learn more: https://t.co/RZgn5mskyt

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

We promote and protect the health of all New Yorkers so that everyone can lead healthy lives, regardless of who they are, where they are from, or where they live.

Read our commitment to health equity: https://t.co/SOotStAwqG

[Dr. Alister Martin @NYCHealthCommr]

Today I joined @NYCImmigrants's Immigrant Health Roundtable to discuss the City’s commitment to supporting immigrant health care. I shared how @nycHealthy looked at the contributions and health needs of this diverse group of New Yorkers.

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

Today we released a new report on the health of immigrants in NYC. The report highlights the significant contributions of immigrants to our city’s health and prosperity and the critical need to address unique health challenges they face.

Learn more: https://t.co/e1iH1N8jCS

[Dr. Alister Martin @NYCHealthCommr]

Fluoridation of drinking water is one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century. Fluoride is a natural mineral found in water. Research has long shown that adding a small amount of fluoride to water safely reduces tooth decay by 25% over one’s lifetime.

[Dr. Audrey @AudreyKMadison]

If you live here, you’re a New Yorker.

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

Every New Yorker has the right to quality health care and City services – without exception.

Learn more about your rights and find resources for health care in NYC: https://t.co/SFDJiKuP2p

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

Long COVID is a chronic condition that affects millions of Americans. Actor and activist @MattMcGorry shares why he decided to be more public about his Long COVID experience with @NYCHealthCommr.

Watch⬇️ #LongCOVIDAwarenessDay

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

Every New Yorker has the right to quality health care and City services, regardless of immigration status, ability to pay, employment status, or ability to speak English.

Read our open letter to immigrant New Yorkers with @NYCHealthSystem @NYCImmigrants: https://t.co/OPLp42bbvz

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

Thank you to actor and activist @MattMcGorry for sharing his experience living with Long COVID with @NYCHealthCommr.

Stay tuned for their full conversation coming soon.

[nychealthy @nycHealthy]

On this day 5 years ago, after more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries and 4,291 deaths, @WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

Through 5 long years NYC's public health workforce has shown up day in and day out to protect the health of New Yorkers—we can't thank them enough!