White House withdraws Trump’s pick to lead top health agency hours before Senate hearing

In a first, the White House on Thursday withdrew President Donald Trump’s nomination of former Republican Congressman and vaccine critic Dave Weldon to lead the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just hours before his scheduled confirmation hearing later in the day.

Weldon, a physician with a history of opposing vaccines, was set to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, but the hearing was canceled following the withdrawal. According to report by Reuters citing sources familiar with the situation, speaking anonymously, said Weldon lacked the necessary votes for Senate confirmation.

This marks the first nominee the Trump administration has withdrawn. The decision comes amid ongoing measles outbreaks in multiple states, including a deadly outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico, as well as concerns over bird flu.

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Weldon would have reported to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known vaccine skeptic who heads the US Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC.

Meanwhile, following the announcement, shares of vaccine manufacturers rose, with Moderna up 5.6% in morning trade, while Pfizer and Novavax saw gains of 1 per cent to 2 per cent, Reuters reported.