Overton Defends Vaccine Standards at FDA Confirmation Hearing

Heidi Overton told senators on September 24 that vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration meet the agency’s safety and efficacy standards, as she faced questions about vaccines, abortion medication and her readiness to lead the regulator. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held the confirmation hearing on President Donald Trump’s nominee, but her answers left key questions about her views and independence unresolved. Overton said the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is safe and effective. She did not say whether Trump was wrong to question the vaccine’s safety. Sen. Bill Cassidy, the committee’s Republican chairman, pressed her on what she would do if Trump or Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directed her to take steps that undermined vaccines. Overton said she would use her scientific training and clinical background to explain what is known, including that FDA-approved vaccines have met safety and efficacy standards. Asked about the president’s role in decisions on vaccine safety, Overton said presidents can set policy priorities, while individual product determinations are generally made by expert career staff.