CDC disease detectives exempted from Trump hiring freeze, averting cut to program

The Department of Health and Human Services has recently granted an exemption to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to hire a new class of disease detectives, also known as Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers. This move comes as a relief to CDC officials who were concerned about a potential halving of the highly selective fellowship program.

Typically, the CDC recruits a new class of EIS officers each year to replace those who are graduating from the agency’s two-year program. These officers play a crucial role in investigating outbreaks, analyzing public health data, responding to emergencies, and supporting health departments worldwide. The exemption granted by HHS allows the CDC to onboard and train the newly selected EIS officers, ensuring that the program can continue without interruption.

The fate of the EIS program had been uncertain due to a federal hiring freeze that had halted most efforts to add new staff to the agency. The lack of a director at the CDC to approve decisions had also caused delays in the hiring process. However, the exemption from HHS has now allowed the program to proceed as planned.

The EIS program is seen as a valuable opportunity for aspiring public health workers to gain experience at the CDC. Many senior CDC officials began their careers at the agency through this program. Despite earlier concerns about potential cuts to the program, it has been ultimately spared from the Trump administration’s terminations of probationary workers.

In addition to the exemption for the EIS program, other fellowship programs at the CDC, such as the Laboratory Leadership Service, have also received approvals for hiring new staff. Similarly, other agencies, like the National Institutes of Health, have been able to continue onboarding new hires for programs like the clinical fellows program.

Overall, the exemption granted by HHS to the CDC for hiring new EIS officers is a positive development for public health efforts. The program will continue to train and deploy disease detectives who play a vital role in responding to outbreaks and health emergencies. This decision ensures that the CDC can maintain its capacity to protect public health and support health departments both domestically and internationally.