Trump FDA Nominee Supports Vaccine Safety but Treads Carefully on Mifepristone

At her September 24 Senate HELP Committee confirmation hearing, Heidi Overton, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the FDA, said every vaccine currently on the U.S. market is “safe and effective” according to FDA standards.

Overton specifically said the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is not lethal, is safe and effective, and is the best available public-health tool against the ongoing measles outbreak—contradicting recent comments by President Trump questioning the shot’s safety.

On mifepristone, Overton said the abortion medication has met FDA safety and efficacy standards and is safe and effective as currently labeled. However, she avoided stating an unequivocal personal endorsement and said she would not prejudge an ongoing FDA safety review.

Her cautious wording drew scrutiny because she previously described mifepristone as “dangerous to women” and has opposed abortion rights.

Overton also said she would follow statutory FDA requirements and provide Trump with her best medical advice if confirmed, rather than committing to follow directives that conflict with scientific or regulatory standards.

Her nomination still requires approval by the Senate HELP Committee and then confirmation by the full Senate.