Manju Chatani

Laugher. Fighter. Growler. Groaner. Eater. Drinker. Traveler.

[Manju Chatani @ThinknGrrl]

@Acyn Wtf!

[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)

[IAS - the International AIDS Society @iasociety]

The African continent will pay 89 billion USD in debt servicing. Our call is to restructure, cancel, and find responsible ways to finance in the future.

@ZackieAchmat, #IAS2025 scientific highlights press conference

https://t.co/TN0f2vFIYJ

[Manju Chatani @ThinknGrrl]

🏈Purchased HIV treatment from U.S. pharma companies to keep 1M pp alive for 1 year.
Tell Congress to https://t.co/WyGCX9OBxl #saveforeignaid and #standwithUSAID

[AVAC @HIVpxresearch]

On the latest #AdvcocacyChronicles, @mis_dmc shares why @PrEPInBlkUS efforts have been historic and how advocacy becomes effective when its community-led and centered. Listen to the full episode here! 🎧 https://t.co/uJNJmxO4mH

[Population Council @Pop_Council]

Join us for the launch of the @CIFFchild & @GlobalFund initiative: PrEP Ring Early Market Access Vehicle (EMAV) to learn about the #DapivirineVaginalRing for #HIVPrevention. @apha_sa @HIVpxresearch

📅: October 30
🕒: 9 am ET | 1 pm GMT
Register: https://t.co/T8lYRp8xLb

[Grace Kumwenda @gjkumwenda]

How can we make #HIVprevention research more inclusive? The People’s Research Agenda consulted 130+ advocates to develop 3 key actions: Deliberate, Delineate, Democratize. Stay informed on our findings! #CommunityDriven #HIVResearch

[Manju Chatani @ThinknGrrl]

“Young people - it’s your challenge to ensure prevention is accessible. It’s your prevolution!” @AuntyPoz @apha_sa @HIVpxresearch #HIVR4P2024

[Manju Chatani @ThinknGrrl]

#AVACFellow Rhoda Msiska @CopperRoseZM says “ We engage parents in DPP awareness activities so they can support the rollout when they recognize the need themselves.” #HIVR4P2024 @HIVpxresearch

[Manju Chatani @ThinknGrrl]

“I love the DPP - it will final force the integration of HIV and FP services. We don’t have to ask. It’s the only way to deliver it!” Patriciah Jeckonia @LVCTKe #HIVR4P2024

[IAS - the International AIDS Society @iasociety]

“The ring is a powerful tool that is revolutionary as the first approved, long-acting prevention tool, particularly for women & adolescent girls, who often cannot negotiate condom use and & the pill burden of oral PrEP not discrete enough” - @AuntyPoz
https://t.co/QWTvkhAUis

[AVAC @HIVpxresearch]

New publication 📰 from AVAC, @PangaeaZimbabwe, @fhi360, and HAVEG (@MRCza): "Meta-analysis of Pregnancy Events in Biomedical HIV Prevention Trials in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for Gender Transformative Trials" via @AIDSandBehavior. Read more here: https://t.co/By4A50leDQ

[Manju Chatani @ThinknGrrl]

Excited to share latest episode of the Advocacy Chronicles when I speak to #AVACFellow alumni @Mandisa_Dukashe about the launch of the National U=U Campaign in South Africa

[AVAC @HIVpxresearch]

🎧 New podcast alert! The latest #AdvocacyChronicles discusses #UEqualsU advocacy with @Mandisa_Dukashe, & how community engagement helped shape getting the South African government to endorse the campaign. Listen to the episode, https://t.co/XOKDhjIGnt!

@gnpplus @ITPCglobal

[Manju Chatani @ThinknGrrl]

Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr @KawangoA84433 of @IRDO. She was a brilliant researcher, a community champion and a mentor to many of us. She was also a Host in the #AVACAdvocacyFellows program. Her loss is monumental. @HIVpxresearch

[AVAC @HIVpxresearch]

Webinar reminder! Join the #ChoiceAgenda next Monday, August 5 at 9AM ET to discuss inequities surrounding the inclusion of people with disabilities in #HIV prevention programming and research. More details including registration here! 🌟 https://t.co/RU17xwgJm5

[Manju Chatani @ThinknGrrl]

“The cost of change for people that look like me is too high” @Bakari_Sellers on @billmaher show! Yess!!

[#RepealAHA23 @CFE_Uganda]

📰
Our newest report on the Human Rights violations against LGBT+ persons in Uganda since the passing of the Anti Homosexuality Act 2023 is out.
Discover the devastating impact of this law in our latest #EteekaLyayita Report.
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[Manju Chatani @ThinknGrrl]

@apha_sa @GileadSciences @HIVpxresearch @ICWEastAfrica @UNAIDS @USAmbGHSD @WACIHealth @iasociety Cograts - great statement!

[Manju Chatani @ThinknGrrl]

What a beautiful statement - indeed when science listens to community, we all move forward!

[APHA @apha_sa]

When science listens to community it looks something like this. We Join the AWPCAB and The Purporse1 GGCAG in celebrating the science and most importantly the trial participants . #Purpose1 #Choice #AGYW #AWPCAB
https://t.co/UgD5NmcRHx

[Manju Chatani @ThinknGrrl]

The new Advocacy Chronicles podcast is out where I speak with Allan Mwasa @SMUG2004 about the need for mobilization & resilience when fighting anti-LGBTQ hate and continuing advocacy against #AHA

[AVAC @HIVpxresearch]

As the world kicks off #PrideMonth, it’s important to keep fighting for the freedom of LGBTQ+ people everywhere. This #AdvocacyChronicles, we sit with @smug2004's @allannmwasa to discuss the #AHA and rising violence against the LGBTQ+ community in Uganda: https://t.co/iYRFeOURHx