CDC acting chief says agency will return to stability

Acting CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya told staff the White House may nominate a permanent CDC director soon and said he will continue to lead the agency while efforts to fill leadership gaps proceed.

Acting CDC Director Jay Bhattacharya spoke to agency employees at a Wednesday meeting and said the White House could soon name a permanent CDC director. He said he will continue to lead the agency until the top job is filled. Bhattacharya acknowledged a difficult year for the agency, including rounds of job losses and an August attack on the Atlanta campus that left a police officer dead. He described ongoing work to fill acting roles and to restore stability. Key points: - Bhattacharya told staff that President Trump could name a permanent CDC director soon and that he will remain in charge until a permanent leader is confirmed. - A recording obtained by KFF Health News captured the meeting remarks. - Staff raised concerns about staffing losses, morale, job security, and the possible impacts of Schedule F on federal civil service protections. - Bhattacharya said the agency is working to fill leadership roles, to depoliticize public health work, and to support hiring and operations while acknowledging delays. - He mentioned coordinating more closely with the NIH on HIV prevention and said he had recorded a video encouraging measles vaccination. Summary: Bhattacharya framed filling leadership positions as essential to stabilizing CDC operations and supporting the agency's mission. HHS officials are leading the search for a permanent director on behalf of the White House, and officials have reported that a nomination may come soon. Timing and next steps remain uncertain.