Jennifer Shuford, deputy director and chief medical officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will leave the Trump administration after next week's midterm elections.

Shuford, a former Texas health commissioner and infectious disease physician, was hired in April as part of an effort to bring new leadership to the agency. Her six-month tenure coincided with significant changes in federal vaccine policy under President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Washington Post reported the departure on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter. The exact reason remains unclear, with one account pointing to a family health issue and another suggesting disagreement over the administration's approach to vaccines.

The policy changes include President Trump's recent plans to require vaccine manufacturers to split certain childhood immunizations into five separate doses. This step aligns with long-standing priorities of Secretary Kennedy regarding vaccine schedules and safety.

Shuford was among a group of appointees brought in this spring, including CDC Director Erica Schwartz, who was confirmed by the Senate earlier this year. The agency has experienced leadership turnover and workforce reductions of about 25 percent since the start of the second Trump term.

The CDC and White House declined to comment on the departure outside business hours. Shuford's exit comes as the administration continues efforts to reshape public health priorities at the agency.