After Atlanta shooting, CDC staffers voice frustration with RFK Jr.’s vaccine rhetoric
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers express frustration in the face of comments from the previous vaccine of the Secretary of Health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Although the reason for the alleged shooter – Patrick White, 30, of Kennesaw – remains unknown, he told a neighbor that he believed that the vaccines are comfortable made him sick, said a source at NBC News on condition of anonymity.
Kennedy is expected to visit the CDC headquarters later on Monday to speak with the staff, according to a person familiar with the issue.
The shooting took place near the CDC campuses, which includes a daycare center on campus and Emory University.
For some employees, the shooting has highlighted growing hostility towards public health officials, who, according to them, have been shaped by the long history of Kennedy of the propagation of the disinformation of vaccines, including the vaccine coded.
In 2021, Kennedy filed a petition of citizens requesting that the Food and Drug Administration revokes the authorization of Coids vaccines. The same year, he described the shot cobed like the “deadliest vaccine ever made”.
Last week, Kennedy put an end to 22 contracts to the development of mRNA vaccines – the same technology used to develop covid photos of Pfizer and Moderna. In an announcement on X, Kennedy said that “mRNA technology has more risks than benefits for these respiratory viruses”.
In a statement sent by email, Andrew Nixon, an HHS spokesperson, said Kennedy “has unequivocally condemned the horrible attack and remains fully determined to ensure the safety and well-being of CDC employees.”
“It’s time to stay in solidarity with our public health staff,” said Nixon, “not a moment for the media to exploit a tragedy for political purposes.”
Kennedy has not yet spoken publicly about the disinformation of vaccines that may have contributed to the shooting.
Numerous studies have shown that coastal vaccines are safe and effective.
“There is a lot of disinformation, a lot of truly dangerous rhetoric that is currently spreading by the current administration, which makes us look like bad guys, which gives us the impression that our work proposes to hurt people,” said Elizabeth Soda, CDC employee, in an interview. “So it is not at all surprising, well, that people will listen to our leaders.”
Similarly, in the group cats of employees, staff also express frustration.
“People have the impression that it is a natural progression when you spend years denigrating public science and health, spreading a disinformation on vaccines and publicly attacking federal workers,” said an CDC employee who has obtained anonymity for fear of repercussions.
“People, including me, are pissed off,” added the source.
An employee of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, who oversees the CDC, said that it was not lost to them that Kennedy “demonized our work”.
In an email obtained by NBC News, Kennedy told CDC staff on Saturday that he prayed for the whole agency, adding that the shooting was “deeply disturbing”, especially for those working in Atlanta.
“We want everyone to know, you are not alone,” wrote Kennedy.
