STAT+: Vote on key federal health nominee delayed amid questions over vaccine views

Sen. Cassidy’s committee delays vote on Sean Kaufman Sean Kaufman attends his confirmation hearing to be assistant secretary for preparedness and response with the Senate HELP Committee last week in Washington.Finn Gomez/Getty Images Chelsea covers the Department of Health and Human Services with a particular focus on power and influence at the top. Confidential tips can be sent via Signal at chelseacirruzzo.42. WASHINGTON — A Trump administration nominee to lead an agency focused on public health disasters had his confirmation vote postponed amid a lack of support just minutes before it was scheduled to take place, after he was lambasted during a confirmation hearing last week for his past anti-vaccine statements. Sean Kaufman, the nominee for assistant secretary for preparedness and response (ASPR), faced tough questions during last week’s hearing after STAT reported that he made a number of comments questioning the safety of vaccines. The Senate health committee was supposed to vote on approving his nomination and sending it to the full Senate floor on Thursday morning alongside Erica Schwartz, who is nominated to be director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Chelsea covers the Department of Health and Human Services with a particular focus on power and influence at the top. Confidential tips can be sent via Signal at chelseacirruzzo.42.