FDA nominee faces skepticism on vaccines from Republican senators at confirmation hearing

Dr. Heidi Overton, President Trump's nominee to lead the FDA, faced pointed questions Thursday from Chairman Bill Cassidy over her role in an executive order breaking up the childhood vaccine schedule into more doses, which he said was based on zero scientific evidence and would burden families with more appointments. Overton affirmed the MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and 97% effective after two doses, but Cassidy pressed her to commit to resisting political pressure on FDA approvals.

Senator Patty Murray highlighted a 2023 policy brief Overton co-wrote calling abortion corrosive to society and urging greater scrutiny of medication abortion. Overton declined to say how she'd handle an ongoing safety review of mifepristone if confirmed, while insisting there's 'no change in position' from the FDA's current stance that the drug is safe and effective.

Senator Josh Hawley said her answers didn't match arguments the administration is making in active litigation over the drug, and Senator Lisa Murkowski warned that restricting telehealth access to mifepristone would strand roughly 80% of Alaska's communities. The FDA itself declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.