CDC to participate in WHO vaccine conference despite Trump executive order
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has decided to participate in a conference with the World Health Organization (WHO), despite President Donald Trump’s executive order to withdraw the U.S. from the global organization. The CDC confirmed its involvement in a biannual conference on the influenza vaccine led by the WHO.
A CDC spokesperson told Fox News, “CDC will be actively participating virtually at the WHO vaccine consultation meeting for the recommendation of viruses for 2025-26 Northern Hemisphere Vaccine this week.” However, it was not clarified if the CDC received an exemption from Trump’s executive order, which mandated all officials to cease collaboration with the WHO.
Trump signed the executive order to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO shortly after taking office, citing reasons such as the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, failure to implement necessary reforms, and imposing unfair financial burdens on the U.S. Despite this, Trump expressed openness to potentially rejoining the WHO if certain improvements were made.
Following Trump’s order, the WHO expressed disappointment and hoped that the U.S. would reconsider its decision. In July 2020, during Trump’s first term, he initiated the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the WHO, but his successor, former President Joe Biden, later reversed this decision and reinstated U.S. participation in the organization.
The CDC’s decision to participate in the WHO conference highlights the complexities of international health collaborations amid political tensions. As the global community continues to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining open communication and cooperation between health organizations remains crucial for addressing public health crises effectively.
