Former Republican representative Dr. Dave Weldon, President Trump’s choice to lead the CDC, will face confirmation from the Senate health committee. Dr. Weldon, aligned with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., questions vaccine safety. He served in Congress for 14 years and is known for the Weldon Amendment and advocating for abstinence to prevent STIs. Amid measles outbreaks and flu season challenges, his confirmation hearing will likely focus on his views on vaccines.
Dr. Weldon has been critical of the CDC’s vaccine safety efforts, pushing to move the vaccine safety office away from their control. He has questioned the safety of the measles vaccine and the agency’s impartiality due to its role in promoting vaccines. While he has been described as anti-vaccine, Dr. Weldon maintains that he supports vaccination, as evidenced by vaccinating both his adult children and prescribing vaccines to his patients.
Senate members, particularly Senator Cassidy, may question Dr. Weldon’s views on the hepatitis B vaccine, which he has suggested may not be necessary for children. The hearing is not expected to be bipartisan, with members likely falling along party lines in their comments and questions.
In addition to Dr. Weldon, other nominees for key health agency roles, including the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, have faced scrutiny and endorsement from the Senate committee. The hearing is a significant step in the confirmation process for agency directors, a departure from the usual appointment process.
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