The White House delays naming a permanent CDC director, with acting chief Jay Bhattacharya to continue overseeing the agency beyond a legal deadline.

WASHINGTON: The White House will delay naming a new permanent director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention past a Wednesday deadline.

A health department spokesperson confirmed that the current acting director, Jay Bhattacharya, will continue to oversee the agency.

The CDC has faced leadership uncertainty since President Donald Trump fired Director Susan Monarez in August.

Monarez was dismissed after objecting to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s proposed vaccine policy changes.

Federal law limits acting replacements for Senate-confirmed positions to a maximum of 210 days.

That statutory period for the CDC director role ended on March 25.

“Dr. Bhattacharya will continue to oversee the CDC by performing the delegable duties of the CDC director,” the spokesperson said.

They added that Kennedy and HHS chief counselor Chris Klomp are working with the White House on the search.

Klomp said last week he was encouraged by interviews conducted for the position.

The Washington Post first reported the delay earlier on Tuesday.

The newspaper reported on Sunday that about six candidates were being considered.

Those candidates include former Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher and Mississippi health director Daniel Edney.

Cardiologist Joseph Marine was also named as a potential candidate.

 The Sun Malaysia