From Fox News · James Cirrone · · 2m
Trump's surgeon general pick backs MMR vaccine, rejects autism link
Dr. Nicole Saphier defended vaccines at her confirmation hearing, distancing herself from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s past claims.
In brief
Dr. Nicole Saphier defended vaccines at her confirmation hearing, distancing herself from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s past claims. Trump's surgeon general nominee strongly supports the MMR vaccine and says there is no evidence vaccines cause autism, breaking with some of Kennedy's earlier statements. Originally reported…
Trump's surgeon general pick confirmed
Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News contributor, is Trump's latest nominee for surgeon general. She would serve as the federal government's top doctor and public health spokesperson.
Saphier backs MMR vaccine strongly
During her Senate confirmation hearing, Saphier said the MMR vaccine is the greatest tool for combating measles and rejected Trump's recent suggestion it could be lethal.
“I believe the MMR vaccine is our greatest tool for combating measles.”
No evidence vaccines cause autism
Saphier said she has not seen reputable evidence linking vaccines to autism and does not believe childhood vaccines cause the developmental disorder.
“I do not believe childhood vaccines cause autism.”
Breaking with Kennedy's past claims
In a 2023 interview, Kennedy said autism comes from vaccines. He later backed away from that claim, saying as HHS secretary he would not discourage vaccine use.
Hepatitis B vaccine prevents cancer
Saphier defended universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth, calling it one of the most tangible ways to prevent cancer. The Trump administration stopped recommending it for babies whose mothers test negative.
“The hepatitis B vaccine is one of the most tangible ways we have to prevent cancer.”
Saphier previously criticized Kennedy
Before her nomination, Saphier wrote in the Wall Street Journal that she was deeply concerned about Kennedy's approach to autism research, particularly his hiring of vaccine critic David Geier.
“Families deserve more than passionate speeches and fringe science.”
Trump administration favors spaced vaccines
The Trump administration issued an executive order in August twenty twenty-six to space out childhood vaccine shots into separate visits rather than combined doses.
Saphier's third nomination attempt
Saphier was nominated in April after Trump's earlier picks, wellness influencer Casey Means and Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, failed to gain Senate traction or were withdrawn.
Saphier brings extensive medical experience
As director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New Jersey, Saphier has authored several health books and pledged to promote cancer screening and study AI's mental health effects on children.
At a glance
Trump's surgeon general nominee strongly supports the MMR vaccine and says there is no evidence vaccines cause autism, breaking with some of Kennedy's earlier statements.
