NIH Director to Lead CDC May Pursue RFK Jrs Health Agenda

February 19, 2026 • Google News World

Here is the rewritten news article in a neutral newsroom style:

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) director, Dr. Francis Collins, has temporarily taken over as the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This move comes after the White House appointed Jay Bhattacharya, a critic of the CDC, to lead the agency on an interim basis.

Dr. Collins will serve as the acting director of the CDC while the Trump administration searches for a permanent replacement. The NIH’s Dr. Collins has been leading the country’s top medical research agency since 2009 and is also the director of the National Human Genome Research Institute.

The White House announced that Dr. Bhattacharya, who has expressed skepticism about certain COVID-19 policies, would lead the CDC on an interim basis until a permanent replacement can be found. The NIH’s Dr. Collins will oversee the agency in his absence.

The change in leadership comes as the country continues to navigate the ongoing pandemic and other public health challenges. The CDC plays a critical role in responding to these issues and providing guidance to the public.

Dr. Bhattacharya, who has been critical of certain COVID-19 policies, is expected to lead the agency on an interim basis while the Trump administration searches for a permanent replacement.

Source: Google News World