Trump’s FDA nominee Heidi Overton defends vaccines, contradicting his claims

US President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the US Food and Drug Administration defended the MMR vaccine on Thursday, breaking with the president’s claims about its safety.

Dr Heidi Overton told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine was “not lethal” and described it as safe, effective and “our best tool right now in the public health response to the measles outbreak.”

Republican committee chairman Bill Cassidy questioned Overton about vaccines and her involvement in a Trump executive order seeking changes to childhood vaccination recommendations.

“Are there any vaccines on the US market right now which are unsafe?” Cassidy asked.

“Every vaccine on the US market right now are safe and effective according to the FDA,” Overton replied.

Cassidy also asked how she would respond if Trump requested something that went against scientific evidence.

“I would give him my best advice,” Overton said, adding that statutory requirements and product safety and efficacy would guide her decisions.

Overton, 37, currently serves as a White House deputy assistant for domestic policy and her nomination has faced scrutiny over her management experience and involvement in Trump’s vaccine policies.

The committee will decide whether to advance her nomination.