Dr. Michelle Fiscus, who was the medical director for vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization programs at the Tennessee Department of Health, said the state’s elected leaders put politics over the health of children by firing her for her efforts to get more Tennesseans vaccinated. His office and the Health Department declined to comment, citing personnel matters. Democrats blasted the firing, with Sen. Raumesh Akbari saying Fiscus was "sacrificed in favor of anti-vaccine ideology." Fiscus said issues on vaccine communication arose last fall, before the shots were federally authorized, when health officials asked for permission to start messaging about how COVID-19 vaccines would be safe, effective and well-studied. “When the vaccines did finally become available, the messaging that came from the governor’s communication team was, ‘Talk to your doctor to see if COVID-19 vaccine is right for you,’" Fiscus said.

Source: ABC News July 13, 2021 23:48 UTC