Surgeon General Nominee Says Vaccines Save Lives, but Informed Consent Important

President Donald Trump’s nominee for surgeon general told a Senate panel on Feb. 25 that she supports vaccination as well as individuals discussing the risks and benefits of medications with doctors.

“I’m supportive of vaccination,” Dr. Casey Means, 38, told the Senate Committee on Health during a hearing in Washington. “I do believe that each ‌patient, mother, parent, ​needs to ​have ​a conversation with ‌their pediatrician about ​any medication ​they’re putting in their body and their ​children’s ‌body.”

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a medical doctor and committee chair, asked Means multiple times to recommend that people get certain vaccines or get their children vaccinated.

Means responded with variations on her previously stated support for vaccines and emphasized that people should discuss concerns with their health care professionals.

“I believe vaccines save lives. I believe they’re an important part of public health,” she told Cassidy later, adding that she encouraged patients to talk to their doctor.

“I think it’s incredibly important. Informed consent is going to be a big part of building trust in public health.”

Trump nominated Means in May 2025. An October 2025 confirmation hearing was postponed after she went into labor with a baby boy, whom she brought with her to the Feb. 25 hearing.

If confirmed, Means would become America’s top doctor and part of the Department of Health and Human Services, which is led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and also includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In moves backed by Kennedy, the CDC has narrowed recommendations for shots against hepatitis A and COVID-19, and several other vaccines, in recent months. Officials have emphasized that the vaccines remain on the CDC’s schedule for children and are still covered by insurers.

Cassidy voted for Kennedy but has expressed opposition to his position on vaccines. In his opening statement, he said that the United States has serious health problems, including outbreaks that he said are preventable “with safe and effective vaccines.” He said that vaccine skepticism is being promoted.

“Americans will look to you for clear medical guidance and direction to protect and promote families’ health,” he told Means.

Means did not mention vaccines in her opening statement. She said that she has a vision of restoring Americans’ physical, mental, and societal health in part by addressing ultra-processed foods and a lack of physical activity.

Cassidy later asked Means whether she believes that vaccines can cause autism, a disorder that has been increasing in prevalence in America.

“We do not know as a medical community what causes autism,” Means said. “Until we have a clear understanding about why kids are developing this at higher rates, we should not leave any stones unturned.”

Cassidy said that there’s much evidence showing vaccines are not implicated as a cause of autism. Means said she accepted that evidence, which was not specified, but added that science is never settled.

Means told Cassidy she looks forward to the results of the Trump administration’s investigation into environmental factors contributing to autism.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the ranking member of the committee, said that he aligned with Means on some issues but that he sees a vaccine–autism link as a conspiracy theory. Means said that advocating for or against vaccines has never been part of her message and that she tries to be careful with her words.

“I don’t think it’s responsible to say that we’re not going to study [vaccines] when kids are getting many medications,” she said. “I think it’s important to keep it on the table.”