US Fires Health Official Who Opposed Widely Used Covid Shots

Source: Bloomberg

October 28, 2025 at 8:31 AM EDT
Updated on October 28, 2025 at 12:25 PM EDT


A top biosecurity adviser at the Department of Health and Human Services who believed messenger RNA Covid vaccines should be taken off the market was fired over the weekend, an agency official said. Steven Hatfill, a virologist who advocated for unproven Covid-19 treatments like hydroxychloroquine during the pandemic, served for six months as a senior adviser at the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.

The agency is responsible for preparing the US against potential threats from bioweapons and new infectious diseases, as well as stocking the country’s emergency medical cabinet. HHS said Hatfill incorrectly claimed to be the chief medical officer at ASPR, and wasn’t effective in cooperating between government agencies and with department leadership.

In a written statement, Hatfill disputed the HHS official’s characterization. He said he was given the title of chief medical officer of ASPR by his direct supervisor. Additionally, Hatfill said he acted in compliance with the agency’s policies, had never been disciplined and had even garnered praise from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“I acted in 100% compliance with HHS policy,” Hatfill said in a written statement. Hatfill also said he hasn’t yet been formally terminated, though was asked by one of Kennedy’s aides to resign on Saturday because they were taking ASPR in a different direction. Hatfill refused and asked to speak to Kennedy but was later locked out of HHS communication systems and denied access to his office, he said.

Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-28/us-fires-top-health-official-who-opposed-widely-used-covid-shots