CDC Official's Missing Records Raise Concerns Over Vaccine Safety Oversight

Vanishing CDC Records Prompt Urgent Inquiry

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has revealed that records belonging to Dr. Tom Shimabukuro, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Immunization Safety Office, are missing. Senator Ron Johnson, a Republican from Wisconsin, was first notified in March that HHS was struggling to locate these documents. By April 9, the agency indicated that the records might have been completely removed from their email system, raising serious concerns about transparency.

Dr. Shimabukuro's role is pivotal, as he oversees research on vaccine safety, with a particular focus on COVID-19 vaccines. His records are vital for understanding the monitoring of adverse events linked to these vaccines. The loss of such critical documents has alarmed lawmakers, especially given Shimabukuro's history of presenting inaccurate information at vaccine safety meetings, which has already drawn scrutiny.

Congressional Oversight Under Threat

Senator Johnson, who leads the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, has been conducting a multi-year review of COVID-19 vaccine development and safety. The missing records are directly tied to a January 28 subpoena he issued to HHS, demanding documents related to vaccine safety and efficacy. Johnson warned that any intentional mishandling of these records could violate his November 19, 2024 directive, which mandated that HHS, CDC, and the Food and Drug Administration preserve all materials concerning COVID-19 vaccines.

If Dr. Shimabukuro deliberately deleted or destroyed these records, he could face legal consequences, potentially including violations of the Federal Records Act. Johnson has urged Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and HHS Acting Inspector General Juliet Hodgkins to investigate whether Shimabukuro or other HHS officials acted to obstruct congressional oversight or evade Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The Department of Justice and HHS Office of Inspector General acknowledged receiving Johnson's letter but offered no further comment.

Patterns of Transparency Issues Emerge

This incident is not isolated. Johnson pointed to a prior case involving Dr. David Morens, a National Institutes of Health scientist, who was found to have discussed methods to make messages disappear to avoid Freedom of Information Act disclosures. In 2021, Morens wrote in an email that he felt safe after learning how to hide communications, a revelation that sparked outrage. Johnson had requested an HHS investigation into Morens 19 months ago but has yet to receive confirmation of any action taken.

The lack of response from the HHS Office of Inspector General has frustrated Johnson, who called their silence unacceptable. He argued that if Shimabukuro's records were intentionally mishandled, it would undermine confidence in the oversight mechanisms at HHS. The senator emphasized that such actions could erode public trust in the agencies responsible for vaccine safety monitoring.

Calls for Accountability Grow Louder

Johnson's letter to top officials underscored the gravity of the situation, describing Shimabukuro's potential misconduct as highly concerning. He noted that obstructing his investigatory efforts could constitute contempt of Congress, a serious charge. The senator is pressing for a thorough probe to determine whether records were deleted to shield the CDC or HHS from scrutiny.

The absence of these documents continues to cast a shadow over the transparency of vaccine safety processes, leaving lawmakers and the public seeking answers. Johnson remains steadfast in his call for accountability, stressing that the integrity of federal oversight depends on it.