Hundreds of employees at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who were initially laid off during the ongoing federal government shutdown have been reinstated following what officials described as “incorrect notifications.”
The reversal has drawn attention to administrative missteps and the broader implications of workforce reductions in critical public health agencies.
Layoff Notices and Immediate Reversal
On Friday, October 11, approximately 1,300 CDC employees received layoff notices as part of a broader federal workforce reduction plan.
The move was linked to the Trump administration’s efforts to cut costs and eliminate what were described as “non-essential” roles across health agencies.
However, within hours, nearly 700 of those notices were rescinded after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) acknowledged that many of the terminations were issued in error.
Andrew Nixon, communications director at HHS, clarified that the affected employees were never formally separated from the agency.
“The employees who received incorrect notifications were never separated from the agency and have all been notified that they are not subject to the reduction in force,” he said.
CDC Impacted Units and Critical Functions
The layoffs initially targeted several CDC units, including those responsible for infectious disease surveillance, health data analysis, and workplace safety.
Among the reinstated staff were members of the team behind the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
This publication is a key resource for public health professionals to track disease trends and guide policy decisions.
Sources within the CDC and other health agencies confirmed that entire offices, including the Washington division, were listed for termination.
The abrupt reversal has raised concerns about how the agency determined which roles were considered non-essential.
These concerns are especially relevant given the ongoing public health challenges facing the country.
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