Senators Press Surgeon General Nominee on Vaccine Safety Claims

At her confirmation hearing, Nicole Saphier, MD, President Trump's nominee for surgeon general, faced sharp questioning from Senator Bill Cassidy about whether childhood vaccines cause autism. Saphier stated she does not believe vaccines cause autism and called the MMR vaccine the best tool against measles, while acknowledging the administration's efforts to address vaccine hesitancy. The hearing comes amid administration moves to alter vaccine guidance, which medical groups warn could increase hesitancy.

Saphier's confirmation hearing follows a turbulent nomination process for the surgeon general post, which has remained vacant throughout Trump's second term. Her two predecessors — Casey Means and Janette Nesheiwat — both failed to advance, leaving the position unfilled as the administration pursued changes to immunization schedules, several of which were blocked by court order.

The nominee has shown some independence from administration positions, having previously criticized Trump's warnings about Tylenol use during pregnancy as oversimplified. She also distanced herself from a MAHA report that cited nonexistent studies. However, her repeated framing of vaccine safety as personal belief rather than established science drew criticism from Cassidy, who sought clearer statements on immunization.