Robert F. Kennedy Jr., serving as secretary of health and human services, stands at the front of a CDC office in the June 10, 2025 cartoon by Dave Whamond. He holds a pointer toward large letters spelling out a new agency name: Center for Diseases Circulating. A worm emerges from his head, and an RFK badge is visible on his lapel.

Kennedy addresses staff through a speech bubble stating the CDC will now be known under his leadership as this rebranded entity. Employees at computer terminals show expressions of concern and surprise. The scene references ongoing policy shifts including the removal of vaccine experts from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

The visual responds to recent developments at the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has publicly questioned vaccine safety and efficacy in statements tied to COVID-19, polio and measles cases. Cuts to agency staffing have accompanied these positions.

The cartoon uses the altered acronym to highlight concerns over reduced focus on disease prevention. It ties the name change directly to leadership priorities that emphasize circulation of illnesses rather than control measures. The composition places Kennedy centrally to emphasize his role in directing the message to agency personnel.

Broader context includes rising measles incidents in multiple states during spring 2025. Health officials have linked some clusters to declining vaccination rates in certain communities. The cartoon captures the tension between traditional public health mandates and new directives from the secretary's office.