Nominee for HHS emergency response role has a history of questioning vaccines

Sean Kaufman has been selected by the administration to lead the Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, overseeing the nation’s reaction to public health emergencies and disasters.

In prior public statements, Kaufman expressed doubts about the infant hepatitis B vaccine and promoted a discredited link between vaccines and autism, raising concerns among health officials.

His confirmation hearing, chaired by Senate health leader Bill Cassidy, could become contentious, as Cassidy has publicly opposed proposals to delay the hepatitis B shot and may challenge Kaufman's vaccine‑skeptical views.