Dr. Céline Gounder
@celinegounder.com
MEDICINE / INFECTIOUS DISEASES / EPIDEMIOLOGY / JOURNALISM
🔹 Senior Fellow & Editor-at-Large for Public Health at @KFFhealthnews.bsky.social
🔹 Medical Contributor for CBS News
🔹 Prof/Doc at NYU Grossman School of Medicine & Bellevue Hospital
🔹 Senior Fellow & Editor-at-Large for Public Health at @KFFhealthnews.bsky.social
🔹 Medical Contributor for CBS News
🔹 Prof/Doc at NYU Grossman School of Medicine & Bellevue Hospital
14/ More here: www.cbsnews.com/news/celine-...
Transcript: Dr. Céline Gounder on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Aug. 31, 2025
The following is the transcript of an interview with Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News medical contributor and KFF editor-at-large for public health, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Aug. 31, 2025.
www.cbsnews.com
September 1, 2025 at 4:38 PM
14/ More here: www.cbsnews.com/news/celine-...
10/ Meanwhile, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) has called for postponement of the CDC's ACIP meeting amid leadership turmoil & chaos, adding to the confusion.
Stay tuned...
Stay tuned...
September 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
10/ Meanwhile, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) has called for postponement of the CDC's ACIP meeting amid leadership turmoil & chaos, adding to the confusion.
Stay tuned...
Stay tuned...
9/ Also on the ACIP agenda:
🔹the newborn HepB dose
🔹infant RSV protection
🔹the combined MMR-V shot
Votes here can reshape real-world access quickly through coverage & provider authority.
🔹the newborn HepB dose
🔹infant RSV protection
🔹the combined MMR-V shot
Votes here can reshape real-world access quickly through coverage & provider authority.
September 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
9/ Also on the ACIP agenda:
🔹the newborn HepB dose
🔹infant RSV protection
🔹the combined MMR-V shot
Votes here can reshape real-world access quickly through coverage & provider authority.
🔹the newborn HepB dose
🔹infant RSV protection
🔹the combined MMR-V shot
Votes here can reshape real-world access quickly through coverage & provider authority.
8/ What to expect next: CDC’s ACIP is set to meet again in mid-September.
They’ll consider COVID guidance for healthy kids/teens/adults <65 & may vote on coverage-relevant language.
They could tighten access.
They’ll consider COVID guidance for healthy kids/teens/adults <65 & may vote on coverage-relevant language.
They could tighten access.
September 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
8/ What to expect next: CDC’s ACIP is set to meet again in mid-September.
They’ll consider COVID guidance for healthy kids/teens/adults <65 & may vote on coverage-relevant language.
They could tighten access.
They’ll consider COVID guidance for healthy kids/teens/adults <65 & may vote on coverage-relevant language.
They could tighten access.
7/ Back-to-school: stay current on routine childhood immunizations.
For COVID, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises COVID vaccination for all infants 6-24 months & for older kids with at least one risk factor for severe COVID.
For COVID, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises COVID vaccination for all infants 6-24 months & for older kids with at least one risk factor for severe COVID.
September 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
7/ Back-to-school: stay current on routine childhood immunizations.
For COVID, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises COVID vaccination for all infants 6-24 months & for older kids with at least one risk factor for severe COVID.
For COVID, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises COVID vaccination for all infants 6-24 months & for older kids with at least one risk factor for severe COVID.
6/ If you’re healthy & under 65, some clinicians may offer vaccination off-label after a risk discussion (“shared clinical decision-making”).
They may vaccinate you in the office, or give you a prescription for a COVID vaccination.
They may vaccinate you in the office, or give you a prescription for a COVID vaccination.
September 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
6/ If you’re healthy & under 65, some clinicians may offer vaccination off-label after a risk discussion (“shared clinical decision-making”).
They may vaccinate you in the office, or give you a prescription for a COVID vaccination.
They may vaccinate you in the office, or give you a prescription for a COVID vaccination.
5/ COVID shots are available in 34 states on the basis of FDA approval.
In 16 states + DC, they’re also awaiting CDC guidance. In most of those states, a prescriber’s prescription can still unlock access—except MA, NV & NM for now.
State regulations can change at any time.
In 16 states + DC, they’re also awaiting CDC guidance. In most of those states, a prescriber’s prescription can still unlock access—except MA, NV & NM for now.
State regulations can change at any time.
September 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
5/ COVID shots are available in 34 states on the basis of FDA approval.
In 16 states + DC, they’re also awaiting CDC guidance. In most of those states, a prescriber’s prescription can still unlock access—except MA, NV & NM for now.
State regulations can change at any time.
In 16 states + DC, they’re also awaiting CDC guidance. In most of those states, a prescriber’s prescription can still unlock access—except MA, NV & NM for now.
State regulations can change at any time.
4/ Why does this matter?
When CDC recommendations narrow, health insurance, especially government health insurance, may narrow too.
And it creates confusion in pharmacies & clinics.
When CDC recommendations narrow, health insurance, especially government health insurance, may narrow too.
And it creates confusion in pharmacies & clinics.
September 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
4/ Why does this matter?
When CDC recommendations narrow, health insurance, especially government health insurance, may narrow too.
And it creates confusion in pharmacies & clinics.
When CDC recommendations narrow, health insurance, especially government health insurance, may narrow too.
And it creates confusion in pharmacies & clinics.
3/ This season, the FDA narrowed COVID vaccine approvals:
🔹People 65+
🔹People 6m to 64y if they have at least one risk factor for severe COVID (including pregnancy)
Off-label use:
🔹Healthy people 6m to 64y in consultation with your doctor
🔹People 65+
🔹People 6m to 64y if they have at least one risk factor for severe COVID (including pregnancy)
Off-label use:
🔹Healthy people 6m to 64y in consultation with your doctor
September 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
3/ This season, the FDA narrowed COVID vaccine approvals:
🔹People 65+
🔹People 6m to 64y if they have at least one risk factor for severe COVID (including pregnancy)
Off-label use:
🔹Healthy people 6m to 64y in consultation with your doctor
🔹People 65+
🔹People 6m to 64y if they have at least one risk factor for severe COVID (including pregnancy)
Off-label use:
🔹Healthy people 6m to 64y in consultation with your doctor
2/ Normally, FDA reviews products, then CDC’s vaccine advisers (ACIP) publicly weigh evidence & vote.
CDC adopts guidance, which insurers & programs like Medicaid, the Children's Vaccine Program (CHIP), & Vaccines for Children follow.
That process has been corrupted.
CDC adopts guidance, which insurers & programs like Medicaid, the Children's Vaccine Program (CHIP), & Vaccines for Children follow.
That process has been corrupted.
September 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
2/ Normally, FDA reviews products, then CDC’s vaccine advisers (ACIP) publicly weigh evidence & vote.
CDC adopts guidance, which insurers & programs like Medicaid, the Children's Vaccine Program (CHIP), & Vaccines for Children follow.
That process has been corrupted.
CDC adopts guidance, which insurers & programs like Medicaid, the Children's Vaccine Program (CHIP), & Vaccines for Children follow.
That process has been corrupted.
13/ America has led the world in biomedical innovation because we trusted science.
The resignations at CDC are a warning flare. 🚨
The resignations at CDC are a warning flare. 🚨
September 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
13/ America has led the world in biomedical innovation because we trusted science.
The resignations at CDC are a warning flare. 🚨
The resignations at CDC are a warning flare. 🚨
12/ Bottom line for families: keep kids on routine measles, polio, whooping cough, & other vaccines.
Those recommendations remain in place.
Expect confusion this fall around COVID & RSV shots.
Lean on your doctor & professional medical societies for guidance.
Those recommendations remain in place.
Expect confusion this fall around COVID & RSV shots.
Lean on your doctor & professional medical societies for guidance.
September 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
12/ Bottom line for families: keep kids on routine measles, polio, whooping cough, & other vaccines.
Those recommendations remain in place.
Expect confusion this fall around COVID & RSV shots.
Lean on your doctor & professional medical societies for guidance.
Those recommendations remain in place.
Expect confusion this fall around COVID & RSV shots.
Lean on your doctor & professional medical societies for guidance.
11/ Former CDC leaders warn of process “rigging”—cherry-picked data, pulled evidence, unvetted studies rushed in.
Weakening recommendations could jeopardize Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) & Vaccines for Children coverage, creating cost barriers.
Weakening recommendations could jeopardize Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) & Vaccines for Children coverage, creating cost barriers.
September 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
11/ Former CDC leaders warn of process “rigging”—cherry-picked data, pulled evidence, unvetted studies rushed in.
Weakening recommendations could jeopardize Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) & Vaccines for Children coverage, creating cost barriers.
Weakening recommendations could jeopardize Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) & Vaccines for Children coverage, creating cost barriers.
10/ In mid-September, CDC’s vaccine advisory committee will revisit the newborn hepatitis B dose, infant RSV protection, COVID shots for healthy kids & young adults, & the combined MMR-V.
Revisiting these in the absence of new, credible scientific evidence unprecedented.
Revisiting these in the absence of new, credible scientific evidence unprecedented.
September 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
10/ In mid-September, CDC’s vaccine advisory committee will revisit the newborn hepatitis B dose, infant RSV protection, COVID shots for healthy kids & young adults, & the combined MMR-V.
Revisiting these in the absence of new, credible scientific evidence unprecedented.
Revisiting these in the absence of new, credible scientific evidence unprecedented.
9/ Finally, morale & safety are collapsing.
Staff describe the CDC as “brutal” & “bleak” after layoffs, political interference, & a shooting tied to COVID misinformation.
When the people who run outbreak response are shaken, or gone, everyone’s risk goes up.
Staff describe the CDC as “brutal” & “bleak” after layoffs, political interference, & a shooting tied to COVID misinformation.
When the people who run outbreak response are shaken, or gone, everyone’s risk goes up.
September 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
9/ Finally, morale & safety are collapsing.
Staff describe the CDC as “brutal” & “bleak” after layoffs, political interference, & a shooting tied to COVID misinformation.
When the people who run outbreak response are shaken, or gone, everyone’s risk goes up.
Staff describe the CDC as “brutal” & “bleak” after layoffs, political interference, & a shooting tied to COVID misinformation.
When the people who run outbreak response are shaken, or gone, everyone’s risk goes up.
8/ Third: America’s “radar” is dimming.
With frayed ties to WHO, the US got ~75% less flu surveillance data this year.
That makes it harder to pick the right strains for the seasonal flu shot & leaves us vulnerable to the next threat.
With frayed ties to WHO, the US got ~75% less flu surveillance data this year.
That makes it harder to pick the right strains for the seasonal flu shot & leaves us vulnerable to the next threat.
September 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
8/ Third: America’s “radar” is dimming.
With frayed ties to WHO, the US got ~75% less flu surveillance data this year.
That makes it harder to pick the right strains for the seasonal flu shot & leaves us vulnerable to the next threat.
With frayed ties to WHO, the US got ~75% less flu surveillance data this year.
That makes it harder to pick the right strains for the seasonal flu shot & leaves us vulnerable to the next threat.
7/ Example: Milwaukee’s health department couldn’t get CDC’s lead team during a crisis.
That’s how schools close, outbreaks spread, & preventable deaths rise.
That’s how schools close, outbreaks spread, & preventable deaths rise.
September 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
7/ Example: Milwaukee’s health department couldn’t get CDC’s lead team during a crisis.
That’s how schools close, outbreaks spread, & preventable deaths rise.
That’s how schools close, outbreaks spread, & preventable deaths rise.
6/ Second: states are already losing CDC dollars & expert teams.
Programs on lead poisoning, drowning prevention, violence, tobacco, & maternal/infant health are being cut or stalled.
Programs on lead poisoning, drowning prevention, violence, tobacco, & maternal/infant health are being cut or stalled.
September 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
6/ Second: states are already losing CDC dollars & expert teams.
Programs on lead poisoning, drowning prevention, violence, tobacco, & maternal/infant health are being cut or stalled.
Programs on lead poisoning, drowning prevention, violence, tobacco, & maternal/infant health are being cut or stalled.
5/ What changes for you?
First: vaccine policy is now being set by political fiat—often via social media—rather than open, evidence-first review.
That means confusing reversals, gaps in insurance coverage, & chaos at pharmacies & doctors’ offices.
First: vaccine policy is now being set by political fiat—often via social media—rather than open, evidence-first review.
That means confusing reversals, gaps in insurance coverage, & chaos at pharmacies & doctors’ offices.
September 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
5/ What changes for you?
First: vaccine policy is now being set by political fiat—often via social media—rather than open, evidence-first review.
That means confusing reversals, gaps in insurance coverage, & chaos at pharmacies & doctors’ offices.
First: vaccine policy is now being set by political fiat—often via social media—rather than open, evidence-first review.
That means confusing reversals, gaps in insurance coverage, & chaos at pharmacies & doctors’ offices.
4/ Staff responded with a rare “clap-out,” hundreds lined up outside the CDC to applaud the departing scientists.
That was a public show of alarm: this isn’t normal turnover. It’s about integrity & science being pushed aside.
That was a public show of alarm: this isn’t normal turnover. It’s about integrity & science being pushed aside.
September 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
4/ Staff responded with a rare “clap-out,” hundreds lined up outside the CDC to applaud the departing scientists.
That was a public show of alarm: this isn’t normal turnover. It’s about integrity & science being pushed aside.
That was a public show of alarm: this isn’t normal turnover. It’s about integrity & science being pushed aside.
3/ Within hours of the firing of CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez’s, 3 leaders—responsible for vaccine safety, respiratory diseases, & the chief medical officer role—resigned.
Earlier that week, CDC’s head of data systems also stepped down.
More departures are expected.
Earlier that week, CDC’s head of data systems also stepped down.
More departures are expected.
September 1, 2025 at 4:12 PM
3/ Within hours of the firing of CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez’s, 3 leaders—responsible for vaccine safety, respiratory diseases, & the chief medical officer role—resigned.
Earlier that week, CDC’s head of data systems also stepped down.
More departures are expected.
Earlier that week, CDC’s head of data systems also stepped down.
More departures are expected.