NIH Vigils Newsletter 9/29/2025
Updates for the Weeks of September 21 and 28
NIH Barred From Attending 2025 APHA Conference
The American Public Health Association’s (APHA) Annual Meeting and Expo, the largest annual public health event with 12,000 attendees, was unexpectedly closed to NIH staff—apparently due to a lawsuit involving the Department of Justice. NIH staff regularly participate in this meeting to collaborate with public health workers from across the world to help discover public health efforts that will prevent disease humanely and effectively. What a lost opportunity to serve our public!
Reasonable Accommodations Under Attack!
CDC enacted a policy that no longer permitted employees to work from home, even in cases where that employee had a reasonable accommodation (RA) due to a medical condition. This was called a “sweeping civil rights violation” by unions. Fortunately, it appears that the CDC policy was placed on hold, allowing telework requests to stand until further notice. However, NIH seems to be following suit, with RA requests being centralized to HHS and rumors circulating that executive officers are being asked to submit all RAs to political appointees. Watch this space.
Civil Servants to Congress: Fight, Don't Fold!
The Civil Servants Coalition of nearly a thousand federal workers spanning 50 agencies released a letter urging Congress to pass a “fighting CR” that includes checks on the Trump administration’s authoritarian overreach and protections for our institutions, health care, science, public health, federal workforce, and civil liberties. Now that the letter is publicly available, we encourage current and former federal employees as well as public federal allies to sign in support. In addition, a mutual aid fund for federal workers is accepting donations to be used in the event of a shutdown.
ACIP Vaccine Policy Updates
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the CDC voted to update the COVID-19 guidance, permitting all people over 6 months to obtain the vaccine. However, the same panel recommended delaying the MMRV vaccine until age 4 because of a minor febrile seizure risk. Many public health advocates felt this decision was likely to increase disability and death among children.
Susan Monarez Testifies Before the Senate
Former CDC Director Susan Monarez testified before the Senate, claiming she was pressured to pre-approve vaccine recommendations from ACIP without reviewing them. She noted concerns for public health and rebuked Kennedy’s statements calling her untrustworthy. Her underlying message was that she was unwilling to compromise scientific integrity to retain her role.
Lies, Damn Lies, and (Fake) Statistics on Autism
President Trump, HHS Secretary RFK, Jr., Director Bhattacharya, and CMS Administrator Oz led a historically shameful moment in U.S. public health, providing false narratives on autism, its causes and its treatments. The entire event neglected science and common sense.
Courage Is Contagious: VHA and HUD
Brave HUD and VHA workers added their voices this week to blow the whistle on the harmful, wasteful, and unlawful abuse by the Trump administration at their agencies. The HUD whistleblowers have since been fired in retaliation. Use the links below to learn more and support them!
Vought Tries to Bully Congress Into a Bad Budget Deal With the Threat of Mass Federal Worker Firings!
OMB told agencies to prepare to fire feds en masse if the government shuts down. This deeply unlawful threat is a sign of weakness—Vought and Trump are afraid. Federal workers won’t be used as pawns to hold the American people hostage. We are holding the line. We urge Congress to do the same!
Articles of Impeachment against RFK, Jr.
Michigan representative Haley Stevens introduced articles of impeachment against HHS Secretary RFK, Jr. The articles cite violations of his oath of office, reckless cuts to critical medical research, and a biased anti-science agenda, threatening public health. RFK, Jr.’s contempt for science, spreading of conspiracy theories, and unfounded opposition to vaccine access puts us all at risk.
Changes in Immigration Policy (H-1B, J, F Visas) Threaten Research and Healthcare
Recent changes to academic, scholar, and skilled worker visas, shortening their duration and adding unreasonable application fees, are an additional barrier for international students, professors, and doctors. F and J visas support the majority of foreign grad students in America; H-1B visas account for a significant amount of foreign doctors working in rural America. These changes will make U.S. universities and hospitals less attractive, these talented individuals will enrich other parts of the world leaving the United States without their knowledge and skill.
What Can You Do?
Read and sign on to agency dissent letters linked below. Continue to call Congress, including HELP and Appropriations Committee members—it does help! Use 5calls. Stay aware of everything happening and share with your friends, family, and neighbors. Join us weekly, volunteer to help, and spread the word about the Vigils and 27 uNIHted.
Federal Agency Dissent Letters
Lincoln Declaration - Veterans Affairs
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Keep up the good trouble, and stay safe out there.
In solidarity,
NIH Vigils
Saturdays, 10:00 a.m., Medical Center Metro Station