Susan Monarez was fired as the CDC’s director and Dr. Debra Houry resigned as the agency’s chief medical officer and deputy director over disputes about changes at the agency. The two will work with California’s public health department to help build trust in “science-driven decision-making,” Newsom’s office said.

“We’re not just wringing our hands right now — we’re fighting back,” Newsom said at a news conference. “This is a substantive response to what is not happening in Washington.”

California has increasingly positioned itself as a counterweight to federal health policy, and Newsom has amped up his criticisms of President Donald Trump and challenged the Republican’s policies in court. The governor’s final term ends in just over a year, and he’s gearing up for a possible presidential run in 2028.

California joined Washington and Oregon — two other states with Democratic governors — to launch an alliance in September to establish their own public health guidance and vaccine recommendations, as the Trump administration makes sweeping changes to vaccine and health policy.

California state Sen. Tony Strickland, a Republican, said the initiative announced Monday is an example of Newsom prioritizing his national political ambitions over the state.

“California has serious problems, and we need serious solutions from a serious leader,” Strickland said in a statement.

The White House and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to emails seeking comment on the Monarez and Houry hirings.

Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have repeated falsehoods about vaccines, and the administration has given health recommendations this year that experts say were not backed by science.

Trump in September urged pregnant women not to take Tylenol, saying it could pose a risk of autism to their babies, remarks medical experts said were irresponsible. The CDC website was changed last month to contradict the longtime scientific conclusion that vaccines do not cause autism. A federal vaccine advisory panel voted earlier this month to reverse decades-old guidance recommending that all U.S. babies get immunized against the liver infection hepatitis B on the day they’re born. The vaccine is credited with preventing thousands of illnesses.

Monarez, a former director of a federal biomedical research agency, was named acting director of the CDC in January. Trump later nominated her to serve as director. She was confirmed by the Senate in July, making her the first nonphysician to serve in the role. But she was fired by the Trump administration in August after less than a month in the post.

Kennedy has said Monarez was fired after she told him she was untrustworthy. But Monarez said that was false in congressional testimony and that she was fired after refusing to endorse new vaccine recommendations that weren’t backed by science.

Monarez, in her new role, will advise California on advancing health technologies, state officials said at the news conference.

“California is leading the way to no longer sit on the sidelines and hope for a better future,” Monarez said. “California is investing and innovating now to build the public health systems that will protect lives, strengthen communities and create a future in which all Californians can thrive.”

Houry, who spent more than a decade at the CDC, was among a handful of top officials at the agency who resigned around the time Monarez was fired. Houry said in August she was concerned about the rise of vaccine misinformation during the Trump administration, as well as planned budget cuts, reorganization and firings at the CDC.

Houry, who will serve as a regional and global public health adviser as part of the California initiative, said the effort will “serve as a model for how states can lead together in an era of shifting federal priorities, constrained resources and evolving health threats.”

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According to the California Department of Public Health, three confirmed measles cases were reported in February, and five more as of March 27. In 2024, there were 15 measles cases throughout the year, they said. Though measles cases have increased in the United States, there are no suspected or confirmed measles cases in Riverside County as of April 1, according to the health officials with Riverside University Health System — Public Health.

“Residents should be aware of the benefits of vaccination and provided with education about the signs and symptoms of the disease,” County Public Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky said.

According to the county health database, the last measles case in Riverside County was in 2018. Still, residents can take some actions to reduce the risk of measles in our communities, she advised.

“Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and our community against measles,” Chevinsky said. “Roughly 90% of those unvaccinated and exposed to measles will contract the disease.” She shared some tips on the disease, which can be highly contagious and dangerous in some cases.

Measles is a severe and highly infectious disease that can be spread through the air via droplets when a person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes.

For protection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine for:

• Children: one dose at 12 months of age and another at 4-6 years.
• Older children, adolescents and adults without documented doses of MMR vaccine.

Additionally, if you are an adult born after 1957, one dose of live measles vaccine is sufficient to be considered protected from measles. Still, certain adults may need two doses.

Adults who are going to be in a setting that poses a high risk for measles transmission (e.g., healthcare providers) should make sure they have had two doses separated by at least 28 days.

Vaccination with one dose of MMR is also recommended for infants as young as 6 months old before international travel to reduce the risk of contracting measles while traveling to countries where measles is more common.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Symptoms of measles can include:

• initial fever that lasts a couple of days,
• followed by a cough,
• a runny nose,
• conjunctivitis (pink eye),
• a prickly red rash.

“There are many different kinds of rash illnesses that can appear similar to measles, so it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure an accurate diagnosis, which often requires testing. The public health department follows up on any instances where there may be concern for measles or other transmissible diseases of concern,” Chevinsky said in a recent news release.

“Typically, a rash will appear on the face, along the hairline, and behind the ears. It then spreads down to the rest of the body. Infected people can spread measles from about four days before their rash starts to four days afterwards.

“Symptoms typically will be observed 10–14 days after exposure to the virus. A prominent rash is often the most visible symptom. Complications of measles can include ear infections, hospitalization, pneumonia, swelling of the brain, and, in some instances, death. “

When To Ask Your Doctor:

Contact your healthcare provider if you or a loved one are experiencing a rash, illness, or believe you may have been exposed to measles, particularly after international travel or travel to a place with ongoing measles outbreaks, according to the Riverside University Health System.

“If you seek care through an emergency department or urgent care for a rash illness, it is important to call ahead so the health facility can take appropriate precautions.

What About Vaccines?

“To get vaccinated, talk to your healthcare provider or visit one of Public Health’s upcoming vaccine clinics. All clinics accept walk-in appointments. Cost and eligibility vary. For questions and clinic locations, please call (951) 358-7125 or visit www.ruhealth.org/vaccineclinics.

Learn more about measles here.

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