Senate Confirms Dr. Erica Schwartz as New CDC Director Amid Vaccine Hesitancy Concerns
The Senate has confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), marking the agency's first permanent leader in a year. Schwartz, who previously served as deputy surgeon general during President Trump's first term, steps into the role amid rising vaccine hesitancy and ongoing public health challenges, including a measles crisis and a cyclosporiasis outbreak. Her confirmation follows a period of leadership instability at the CDC, with a series of acting directors since August 2025. Schwartz's appointment comes after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed previous CDC leadership and altered vaccine advisory panels, raising concerns about the agency's direction under his influence. 
