FDA nominee Heidi Overton affirms safety of vaccines and mifepristone in Senate hearing

Heidi Overton, the Trump administration’s pick for FDA commissioner, appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to answer questions about her views on key public‑health issues.

During the hearing Overton repeatedly stated that vaccines approved by the FDA and the medication mifepristone are both safe and effective, while avoiding any admission that the President had provided inaccurate medical information.

Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy pressed Overton on vaccine policy and the administration’s promises on vaccine access, highlighting the political sensitivity of the topic.

The committee will now vote on whether to forward Overton’s nomination to the full Senate for confirmation, as she also emphasized the need to accelerate drug development to stay competitive with China.