Transcription: Dr. Céline Gounder in

The following is the transcription of an interview with Dr. Céline Gounder, medical collaborator of News themezone and editor of KFF in general for public health, which was issued in “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on August 31, 2025.

Ed O’Kefe: Dr. Céline Gounder, News themezone Medical, and the Public Health General Editor at Kff Health News. Doctor, it’s great to see you. Thanks for coming to Washington for this important conversation. Because it has been a fairly chaotic week in the CDC, to say at least. We have seen the expulsion of the agency’s head, which had only been confirmed by the Senate this summer, is now increasing a legal challenge for that. Other senior officials also departed. They are still recovering from a shooting at the headquarters in Atlanta a few weeks ago. Why are these outputs so important to take note? And how do everyone else affect you in terms of health and medicine?
Dr. Céline Gounder: I think it is really important to understand that this is not just the intrigue of the palace. This really affects us all. Then, not only the director, but the people in charge of respiratory infections, vaccine safety, the medical director, the person who was in charge of public health data also resigned earlier this week. So these are really key positions. Not to mention that many of the directors of the different centers, because they are plural centers, have also been forced in recent months. So you are really dealing with a leadership vacuum in the CDC. So, this is not a business as always. And so, specifically, how does this affect you and me, the people who look at home? Then, first, vaccine policy. The vaccine policy is now being carried out by Fiat Political and communicates through social networks, instead of a process of transparent, open and scientific scientific review. And so, we are seeing the reversal of the previous recommendations, which will also confuse whether insurance will cover certain vaccines for certain people, and is already sowing a tremendous confusion in pharmacies, as well as the offices of doctors.
Ed O’Kefe: Then, there are a series of meetings about the future of vaccines and how they will be available, who gets them. Tell us about that and the concerns that some of these CDC officials now had now trainers about what could happen to those meetings.
Dr. GOURDER: Yes. Then, these meetings are scheduled for mid -September. Some of the things on the agenda include the dose of hepatitis B of the newborn. In general, we give it to newborns because it is to avoid the transmission of the mother to the baby. So, that is one of the most common ways in which hepatitis B is transmitted.
Ed O’Keefe: one of the first shots that a baby receives.
Dr. GOURDER: One of the first shots he receives, for a good reason. Also protection for babies, for RSV, one of the most common causes of hospitalization among babies. Number three, the covid shots. And we hope to see a hardening of availability, the eligibility of COVID shots, especially for healthy children and adults. And then, finally, combined measles, paperas, the rubella chickenpox and the review of the recommendations of long -standing children’s vaccines would really not be preceded, here.
Ed O’Kefe: So, basically it is every shot you get from about 0 to 18 is now in debate, and then the Covid Shot, of course, which is important for many people on a regular basis.
Dr. GOURDER: Yes, some really basic things we have had for a long time. Some of the central concerns with the process imply the collection of cherry data, scientific reviews that are altered or extracted, and non -vettid studies rush into the process, to the formulation of policies. And this is really a radical transparency investment.
Ed O’Keefe: Yes. There is an example in recent days, because if we are starting the fall, Covid collects. We have already seen an example of a school in Kansas City that was forced to close temporarily due to Covid, and there have been peaks in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, especially. What do people need to know at home as autumn is approaching and Covid begins to increase?
Dr. Gounder: Well, I think, first, vaccines are for many different purposes. Therefore, it is to prevent serious diseases, hospitalization and death. But, for many people, you may not be able to call the work sick very easily, as for us, it is really difficult to take free time even if you are really sick. You may want to keep your children at school, so the best way to stay at work or your children in school is to get vaccinated so that you and do not get sick.
Ed O’Kefe: Come on, and we should point out, by the way, that closed school, which will open again on Tuesday, but the fact that they had to close at all, correctly, as the school year begins, it is a sign, potentially, of things to come when people do not receive their shots. We will put this into account. I am a 42 -year -old boy with asthma. Will I have trouble getting my Covid Shot?
Dr. Gounder: You will not, because, even if you are less than 65 years old. Therefore, the recommendations or approval of the FDA are for people over 65, all are good. They can get their Covid Shot. Less than 65 years if you have at least one risk factor for severe COVID, you can also get your COVID shot. Then you can absolutely. That is not a problem for you, ed.
Ed O’Kefe: But is it, you know, children under 18, a perfectly healthy spouse, older parents?
Dr. Gounder: – Yes, so parents over 65 are eligible. But let’s say he is between 6 months and 64 years old and does not have a risk factor for severe COVID. That is the group where we really have a lot of uncertainty. Now, it should point out, pregnancy is a risk factor for severe COVID. Then, his healthy wife, let’s say she was pregnant, which I don’t think it is, but if it were, it would be eligible for a Covid shot.
Ed O’Keefe: Very good. Dr. Céline Gounder, we love to help you understand all this. We appreciate that you have come, it is good to see you. And we will return back.