Former US Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams expressed strong criticism towards the current Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, saying he has failed in his first major test as leader during a crisis. The incident refers to the recent shooting at the CDC buildings in Atlanta, where a suspect believed he was sick due to COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr. Adams stated that violence is never the answer, and the secretary’s delayed response to the incident has added fuel to the flames of anti-vaccination rhetoric. He pointed out that the HHS secretary had previously called the CDC a “cesspool” and made false claims about vaccine safety and efficacy.
The former Surgeon General also spoke about the importance of mRNA technology, which played a crucial role in developing COVID-19 vaccines, including Operation Warp Speed. He warned that stopping funding for this research would put people’s lives at risk and stall progress in modern medicine.
Dr. Adams emphasized the need for leaders to be responsible with their words and actions, especially when it comes to health institutions like the CDC. He urged people to talk to their doctors about vaccines and expressed concern over the HHS secretary’s lack of knowledge on spreading accurate information.
The former Surgeon General concluded by saying that the HHS secretary’s actions have caused unnecessary harm and that he needs to take responsibility for his words and actions as leader.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jerome-adams-face-the-nation-08-10-2025