Craig Spencer MD MPH Profile picture
Feb 26 6 tweets 2 min read Read on X
Make a huge mistake. Then make a false claim about how you fixed it.

They did it for PEPFAR.

Now Ebola.

I follow this particular topic VERY closely, so here's what really happened and why this isn't true AT ALL...🧵
On January 29, Uganda reported an Ebola outbreak.

Normally the U.S. would've very quickly sent one of our Ebola experts to help the response.

But this time, we didn't.

Because we couldn't.

Because this administration wouldn't let them go right when this outbreak was declared.
And normally the U.S. would've helped set up border screening and other measures on the ground.

But this time, we didn't.

Normally, we would've spoke with the WHO about helping end the outbreak.

But this time, we didn't.

Because CDC staff weren't even allowed to talk to them.
I've been told by a colleague that Uganda tried calling the White House to notify them of the outbreak for 2 days...but no one answered the phone.

Two months ago we had amazing experts working on global health security there.

Now there appears to be no one to pick up a phone.
You know who does 'Ebola prevention' here in the U.S.?

The CDC.

Hundreds of these frontline experts lost their jobs last week as part of indiscriminate 'cost saving' firings. More cuts are expected.

USAID has long supported Ebola response efforts overseas. Not no more.
So, it's NOT true to say 'one of things we accidentally cancelled very briefly was Ebola prevention' and that it was quickly restored...

Because you've hobbled or directly dismantled the response structures needed to end Ebola outbreaks abroad and protect us here in the U.S.

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More from @Craig_A_Spencer

Jun 26
Everyone’s saying cutting GAVI funding means more diseases will come to the U.S.—and that's true.

Others are pointing out a LOT of kids will die—also true!

But everyone’s missing the most important part of this video—this is RKF Jr taking his anti-vaccination crusade global 🧵
For the record, GAVI has been incredible.

Co-founded by the US back in 2000, GAVI has saved MILLIONS of lives around the world

All by making vaccines to kids—to date, they've vaccinated over a billion children.

I go deeper into GAVI here 👇

In today's video announcing the U.S. is withdrawing its previous funding commitment to GAVI, RFK Jr spends more time attacking vaccines than GAVI itself.

And he justifies the death of millions of children because he didn't like GAVI's social media policies on Covid vaccines. Image
Read 10 tweets
Jun 10
I was seeing patients in the ER when I got a text from a friend

"How bad is this thing about RFK Jr removing ALL 17 experts from a CDC vaccine advisory committee?"

Theres been a lot of hot takes on here already

But heres why this makes me worry, from a clinical perspective 🧵
For background, if you haven't heard yet:

There are 17 members of an advisory committee on immunization practices at the CDC. It's called ACIP.

It's made up of brilliant volunteers who review reams of data and make recommendations on vaccines.

They all got booted today.

hhs.gov/press-room/hhs…
There was almost unanimous rebuke from clinical organizations that should give us all pause.

These are the doctors that take of every American — from obstetricians to pediatricians to family practitioners—that ALL came out today to denounce RFK's move today.
Read 13 tweets
May 30
There were disturbing developments this week that will undoubtedly affect your health.

But most people didn't notice, because they weren't so splashy, or may not seem like a big deal.

But I want to talk to you about each of them, why they matter, and why we should be worried:
Earlier this week, RFK Jr stood alongside the FDA and NIH directors and announced a change in COVID vaccine recommendations...

On X. And only X.

No reports, no science, no reflection on the discussion or decision-making process behind this.

This is very concerning...
Over and over, RFK Jr promised 'radical transparency'.

But the process here is just radical.

His official announcement—by tweet—is that Covid vaccines are no longer recommended for kids and pregnant women.

There were scant details. And he doesn't discuss the data, at all.
Read 15 tweets
Apr 7
Today we learned the sad news another kid died from measles in Texas.

We also learned what RFK Jr. will and will not say

And we got a clearer glimpse of the playbook being used to discredit the proven measures to tackle measles outbreaks

Let me tell you why I'm worried 🧵 Image
Let's start with what we know

The death announced today was in an 8 year old girl

The hospital reports she died of 'measles pulmonary failure'

They also report she was unvaccinated

And had no other health conditions

An absolute tragedy. And completely preventable. Image
Her death was the third measles death in the past few months

And the second in a child

There have been more pediatric deaths from measles in the past 2 months as there have been in the previous 2 decades

This isn't just a coincidence

Read 28 tweets
Mar 26
The U.S. has actively dismantled the global disease-detection programs we all—including Americans—rely on to stay safe

Today this administration’s short-sighted global health agenda got even even worse

It’s ending its support for vaccine programs around the world

Why?? 🧵 Image
With unnecessary haste, the Trump administration is pulling funding from GAVI.

GAVI is a massive force in global health.

Since starting in 2000, it has saved millions of lives around the world through vaccination

Gift link to @nytimes story by @snolen
nytimes.com/2025/03/26/hea…
It is focused on getting vaccines to people around the world who need them

For routine immunization…

And also for really important but less common diseases like Ebola

To date, they’ve vaccinated over a billion kids!!!

They are irreplaceable. Losing GAVI would be disastrous.
Read 17 tweets
Mar 12
I just watched the whole RFK Jr—Hannity interview where they discuss measles.

I don't know what to say.

I'm really just speechless.

Listening to health leadership bungle basic facts at best—and tell outright lies about long-settled science at worst—is just SO disappointing.
No, the measles vaccine does NOT wane by 4.5% every year!

He's confusing the measles vaccine for the mumps vaccine, which does wane.

No, Vitamin A is NOT a cure-all, even if it CAN help.

The vaccine is BY FAR the safest way to stay safe.
He keeps saying natural immunity gives you better protection long-term...

But he never says that a measles infection can cause 'immune amnesia', suppressing your immune system immediately and for years after.
Read 5 tweets

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