gif of a panda shoving items off a desk and saying vaccines don’t cause autism

BREAKING NEWS

» RFKJ’s nonsense ACIP will meet on 12/4 and 12/5 to discuss hepatitis B vaccines for infants and childhood vaccine schedules. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 MMWR has mysteriously been delayed.

» Scoop: The new #2 at CDC is a top ivermectin prescriber who ended Louisiana’s vaccine-promotion media campaigns | Inside Medicine Substack

» Shameless plug: We’re introducing holiday cards. Tell your family and friends about NPHC with the new “Healthy Holidays” greeting cards. USPS, local pickup, and on-campus inventory available starting 12/10.

Welcome to the 38th issue of Fired But Fighting, a newsletter for illegally terminated, improperly RIF’d, chaotically reinstated, and current HHS staff. Read on for judicial and advocacy updates, links to media coverage, calls to action, tips, and resources.

Please consider supporting us by making a donation, grabbing some FBF merch or signing up to volunteer. We’re especially looking for a volunteer coordinator and newsletter writer/editors.

various Fired But Fighting merchandise, including new products greeting cards and stress balls

Visit www.firedbutfighting.org/newsletter-library to read this and previous issues of the newsletter on the web.

LEGAL UPDATE

» Great news for fired HHS probies: the MSPB judge is likely to move forward with certifying the class. Otherwise, we have largely been in a holding pattern since the government reopened on November 13.

» We believe that all shutdown RIFs have been rescinded, but if you have not received a rescission notice, please reach out to us at legal@firedbutfighting.org.

» This week's legal update includes the current status of AFGE's shutdown RIF lawsuit (which is likely to be dismissed soon), NY v. Kennedy (currently wrangling over a motion to dismiss), and the original AFGE RIF lawsuit (still locked in a battle over discovery).

READ THE LEGAL UPDATE

CALLS TO ACTION

» Looking for some new recipes to try out? Order a copy of the Unofficial CDC Comfort Cookbook. Proceeds benefit the CDC Mutual Aid Fund.

» Public health degrees have been excluded from the Department of Education’s newly proposed definition of “professional degrees”. Take action by contacting your representatives.

» Thinking about holiday gifts? The FBF Talent Marketplace has lots of listings from people with talents like photography, baking, jewelry design, and even ornament-making. Please consider supporting a fired fed while doing your holiday shopping.

» Volunteer with Fired But Fighting: Looking for ways to channel your rage? Sign up to volunteer. We’re especially looking for a volunteer coordinator and newsletter writer/editors.

EVENTS

» Don’t forget to keep an eye on FBF’s events page for updates between newsletters.

December 5: Nonsense ACIP protest. Liver-shaped signs and costumes encouraged. 3:30 to 5:00 pm

(Un) Happy Hour Po’ Boy Shop Basement and Bar, December 11, 2025, 6:00 to 8:30 — After Work (Un) Happy Hour. Next Thursday at the Po’ Boy Shop’s basement bar at 6:00 pm.

(un) happy hour and improv show — January 18: (Un) Happy Hour and **free improv show** hosted by Dad’s Garage at 6:00 pm. Grab your ticket today. Pop Up Special Event - CDC Fired but Fighting Event

CAREER CORNER

» Check out this week’s Career Corner for upcoming events and resources. There are lots of events coming up, including multiple virtual career fairs, multiple faculty positions with Georgia State University, and a discussion with Never Search Alone author, Phyl Terry, among other events.

» Join the Opportunities for Former HHS Staff Group and follow Fired But Fighting on LinkedIn for more.

» We’re hosting Unemployment & Career Planning Resources on our site.

» Please note that the Career Corner will be on hiatus until after the New Year.

READ THE CAREER CORNER

WEEKLY 27 uNIHted

Punk rock for science — Punk Rock for Science: On December 12, join 27 uNIHted and the Vigils Crew for a **night of punk rock** in DC at the Chaco Spirits.

an event flyer for Federal Employee Coffee Hour — If you’ve been fired, reinstated, on admin leave, don’t know your employment status, or are worried about being RIF’d, join fellow feds who *get it* for an hour of camaraderie in Northern Virginia. Download the flyer.

» Every Saturday - Vigil commemorating the lives and knowledge lost through NIH cuts. Black attire encouraged. 10 am at the Medical Center Metro.

» Please follow and share 27 uNIHted’s new Instagram account>>

UNION CORNER

» Changes are underway to the Reasonable Accommodation (RA) process. If your RA is denied or canceled without due process, send us an email at ra@afge2883ga.org. We can help you with the next step of the process, filing an EEO complaint.

» See our previous email for more detailed information about these RA policy changes.

» If you would like to help us support your colleagues in the disabilities community to file EEO complaints, email us at ra@afge2883ga.org.

» If you’re not already a member, sign up here to join the fight now! As a reminder, all job series (including supervisors) are eligible to join! The only exception is commissioned corps officers. https://join.afge.org/L2883

CDC MUTUAL AID

» Thank you for supporting the Mutual Aid fund on Giving Tuesday! On Giving Tuesday, the CDC Mutual Aid Fund received nearly $7,000 in donations. Thank you for believing in our mission and for standing with current and future displaced CDC employees. Help us continue spreading the word: every contribution, no matter the size, provides direct financial support to someone who devoted their career to protecting public health. https://bit.ly/4oel9Vr

» New Merch Drop! Visit our online store to see our new shirts “Always Thankful for Public Health” and “In My Save CDC Era” + much more. https://cdc-mutual-aid-network.printful.me/

» Drop us a follow! Follow our LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/cdc-mutual-aid-network/posts) and BlueSky (https://bsky.app/profile/cdcmutualaid.bsky.social) for updates, resources, success stories and more.

THE WEEKLY NEEDLE - ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

» The Weekly Needle is America’s most trusted news source for satirical medical news. Enjoy our top story from last week:

Scientists Discover Mitochondria Only Exist to Annoy the Living Shit out of Cellular Structure - “We may have found the ability to measure how annoying something is, thanks to mitochondria,” explained Professor Ahmed Mukherjee

» Please consider becoming a subscriber by following the link here. Interested in contributing? Email us at theweeklyneedle@proton.me.

SPOON OF THE WEEK

» To submit a spoon (e.g., spooning pets, spoon tattoos, your favorite spoon) for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org using “spoon of the week submission” in the subject line.

FIRED AND THRIVING

the interior of Max Family Vision’s optometry office — Max Family Vision was founded by a former CDC & FDA scientist who was illegally fired during her probationary period earlier this year. If you’re looking for eye care and want to support a fellow public health colleague who’s rebuilding after the layoffs, please consider checking out this family-run clinic.

SELF CARE

» Want to support local businesses that are anti-MAGA and pro-CDC? Take a look at this alternative 2025 Holiday Shopping Guide for places to spend our dollars intentionally this holiday season. Feel free to add, edit, and share.

» Read about this adorable raccoon and his drunken adventures, complete with an epic bathroom photo.

» Download your December Happiness Calendar

» Coffee lovers: The Atlanta Coffee Map showcases 250+ independent/local coffee shops in the metro Atlanta area.