The White House nominee for CDC director, Dr. Erica Schwartz, has advanced to a full Senate vote. This move comes after extended discussions between federal officials and senators regarding vaccine misinformation.
Committee Vote
Sen. Bill Cassidy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, announced his support for Dr. Schwartz’s nomination, as well as that of Sean Kaufman, nominee to lead the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. Cassidy’s decision followed multiple conversations with top HHS officials about removing claims about vaccines and autism from the CDC website and making personnel changes at the agency.
HHS recently edited a claim on its website stating there is no evidence that vaccines do not cause autism, in an apparent bid to assure the nominees would get through a committee vote. Cassidy emphasized that discussions about the website are ongoing, and any assertion that there is a link between autism and vaccines is incorrect.
Cassidy had previously raised concerns about Dr. Schwartz’s independence and autonomy to lead the CDC, as well as Kaufman’s past remarks questioning the safety and effectiveness of immunizations, including mRNA vaccines. Kaufman has since acknowledged the harm caused by his statements and assured Cassidy that, if confirmed, he will not be involved in vaccine policy.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
