How Democrats received Monarez' testimony Wednesday stood in sharp contrast to her confirmation hearing when they opposed her nomination. "I owe you an apology," said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., "I had concern about your backbone and I was wrong." The hearing comes on the eve of the next meeting of the vaccine advisory committee, which is scheduled for Thursday morning in Atlanta. The panel is expected to re-evaluate the vaccine schedule for hepatitis B and the MMRV vaccine for children, and on the COVID-19 vaccine. In June, Kennedy fired the entire 17-member Advisory Panel on Immunization Practices, chose at the time and selected five more on . Many of the members he chose have a history of being critical of vaccines. During her testimony, Monarez said Kennedy asked her to meet with Aaron Siri, a trial attorney who specializes in vaccine lawsuits and who has worked closely with Kennedy. Siri the Food and Drug Administration to revoke approval for the polio vaccine. The hearing was just the latest reminder of the ongoing turbulence at the CDC where Kennedy has replaced many career scientists in leadership positions with political appointees, pushed debunked claims related to the safety of vaccines and for crafting vaccine policy. The possible outcome of Thursday's vaccine advisory meeting was on the mind of many who spoke at the hearing. In his closing statement, Sen. Cassidy offered a strong defense of the current hepatitis B vaccine recommendations for infants. "There are people who would otherwise be dead if those parents weren't given the option to have their child vaccinated," he said. Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said via e-mail: "On the childhood vaccination schedule, the upcoming ACIP meeting will decide the outcome. Any potential changes to the childhood vaccine schedule will be based on the latest available science and only after the ACIP recommends it and the Acting CDC Director reviews and approves those recommendations." , Former CDC Director Susan Monarez and Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry testified before a Senate panel weeks after departing in a dramatic shakeup at the health agency., Susan Monarez says RFK Jr. told her to commit to decisions in advance, without reviewing evidence and to dismiss vaccine experts..