Trump’s FDA nominee says MMR shot is ‘safe and effective’ at Senate hearing

Dr Heidi Overton faces confirmation hearing weeks after standing behind Trump as he suggested shot could be ‘quite lethal’

Dr Heidi Overton, Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has told senators the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is “safe and effective”, weeks after standing behind the president as he suggested the shot could be “quite lethal”.

At a confirmation hearing on Thursday, Overton described the MMR vaccine as “safe and effective”, adding: “It is our best tool right now in the public health response to the measles outbreak.”