Republican Senator Challenges Trump’s Surgeon General Nominee on Vaccine-Autism Link

Senate hearing probes Trump's surgeon general nominee over vaccine-autism claims. Key facts and quotes revealed.

September 17, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — A contentious Senate confirmation hearing took place this week as Dr. Nicole Saphier, President Donald Trump’s third nominee for surgeon general, faced scrutiny over her stance on childhood vaccines and their potential link to autism.

Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News contributor, affirmed her belief that vaccines do not cause autism during the session. This testimony comes amid the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to reassess national vaccine guidelines, which have sparked debate among public health experts.

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Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy questioned Saphier on whether she supports the MMR vaccine, emphasizing its role in preventing measles, mumps, and rubella. She defended the vaccine as a critical tool against these diseases, despite recent White House suggestions to space out doses. Meanwhile, critics argue that the administration’s approach risks fueling vaccine hesitancy, with medical groups warning of potential public health consequences.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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