A former federal prosecutor at the CDC will decide on key vaccine recommendations for RSV, meningitis, and chikungunya, breaking decades of medical precedent.
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| Key vaccine guidance for RSV and meningitis now rests with a CDC official lacking medical training, as the agency awaits Senate confirmation of a new director. |
ATLANTA, USA — April 17, 2025:
In a highly unusual departure from decades of public health protocol, a former federal prosecutor with no medical background will make final decisions on crucial vaccine policy for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The move comes amid a leadership gap at the top of the agency.
On Wednesday, a federal panel of scientific experts recommended expanded eligibility for RSV vaccination, endorsed a new meningitis combination shot for teens, and supported a second vaccine for chikungunya. However, the final call on these recommendations now rests with Matthew Buzzelli, the CDC’s chief of staff, rather than a physician or scientist. Buzzelli, a former federal prosecutor, has a legal background and no formal training in public health or medicine.
Normally, the CDC director signs off on such guidance, but the agency is currently without a Senate-confirmed leader. Dr. Susan Monarez, appointed acting director in January, has temporarily recused herself from key responsibilities due to restrictions under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. While awaiting Senate confirmation, her role is limited. Two CDC officials, speaking anonymously due to job security concerns, confirmed she has stepped back from day-to-day decisions, including vaccine policy.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended allowing adults between ages 50 and 59—who have underlying conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or chronic lung disorders—to receive the RSV vaccine. This marks a shift from the current guideline, which only recommends the shot for those 60 and older.
The committee also backed a new combination meningitis vaccine developed by GSK, which targets five strains of meningococcal bacteria. One of those strains was responsible for a series of college campus outbreaks about a decade ago. The shot would be added to the arsenal of meningitis prevention options for adolescents.
Additionally, the panel recommended authorizing a second chikungunya vaccine for people aged 12 and up who are traveling to outbreak-prone regions. Between 100 and 200 travel-related cases are reported in the U.S. each year. Panel members also introduced a new precaution for the original live-virus chikungunya vaccine, advising people aged 65 and older to carefully weigh the risks. The caution follows an investigation into six cases involving older adults—most with preexisting conditions—who experienced neurological or cardiac symptoms shortly after being vaccinated.
It remains uncertain how quickly Buzzelli will act on the panel's advice. His pending decision marks a significant moment in the CDC’s history, as it brings vaccine policymaking into the hands of a non-medical administrator during a time of heightened public health sensitivity.
The shift has raised questions about scientific oversight, transparency, and continuity at one of the world’s most influential public health agencies.