WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s nominee for managing public health emergencies and disasters has expressed doubts about administering the hepatitis B vaccine to infants and has alluded to the debunked link between vaccines and autism, according to comments reviewed by STAT.
Sean Kaufman, who is nominated to be the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, has made remarks that reflect a broader skepticism about vaccines among some high-ranking officials in the Department of Health and Human Services, under the leadership of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This skepticism persists despite efforts from the White House to shift the focus away from vaccine issues.
This could potentially lead to a confrontation with Senate health leader Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who is set to chair Kaufman’s confirmation hearing next week. Cassidy has opposed some of the more extreme vaccine policy changes advocated by Kennedy, highlighting his background as a liver doctor treating hepatitis B patients as a reason against delaying the vaccine.
Despite his reservations about vaccine skepticism, Cassidy supported Kennedy’s confirmation. In May, Cassidy was not re-elected, following accusations from Kennedy and President Trump that he was obstructing their Make America Healthy Again initiative.
Kaufman’s confirmation hearing, where he will appear alongside Erica Schwartz, the nominee for director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, marks Cassidy’s first hearing for an HHS nominee since his election defeat. Neither Cassidy, the White House, nor Kaufman provided comments when requested.
If confirmed, Kaufman, who co-founded a biosafety consulting firm, would be responsible for overseeing the nation’s preparedness responses, including the management of vaccines and protective equipment during public health crises.
In a now-deleted LinkedIn post from May 2025, Kaufman stated that if labeled as an “antivaxxer,” he would retort by calling the accuser a “pedophile.” He further argued against administering the hepatitis B vaccine to infants.
“And before you dismiss all this as ‘antivaxxer nonsense,’ consider this: autism,” he wrote, suggesting a connection between the hepatitis B vaccine and an increase in autism cases.
However, extensive research over the years has found no link between vaccines and autism prevalence.
Echoing views similar to those of Kennedy and other vaccine skeptics, Kaufman questioned whether vaccines could be associated with a range of health issues.
In his 2025 LinkedIn post, he stressed that “questions surrounding vaccine safety — whether recombinant or mRNA platforms — are not just hypothetical concerns but critical issues that demand honest investigation.” He emphasized the need for transparent, science-based discussions beyond dismissive rhetoric, citing significant increases in autism, allergies, and other health issues as indicators that require attention.
In a May 2025 video, Kaufman also questioned the administration of hepatitis B vaccines to infants, arguing that the virus primarily affects those involved in risky sexual behaviors or drug use. Public health experts, however, assert that infants can still be exposed through other means, and vaccinating newborns has been effective in reducing mother-to-child transmission.
The progressive group Protect Our Care has urged Cassidy to prevent Kaufman’s confirmation.
“There is something very risky here, and it’s letting a science-denier like Mr. Kaufman oversee the nation’s emergency supply of vaccines,” Brad Woodhouse, president of the group, stated to STAT.
Kaufman has also criticized the provision of mRNA Covid-19 vaccines, calling it “reckless” and questioning their safety and efficacy. He commended Kennedy’s efforts to withdraw universal Covid-19 vaccine recommendations, stating, “I don’t think it ever should have been [recommended] in the first place.”
In LinkedIn posts from two and three years ago, Kaufman defended those who lost their jobs for not complying with Covid-19 vaccine mandates. It has been reported that Kaufman served as an expert witness against vaccine mandates and claimed he was censored for advocating “the benefits of natural immunity.”
In one post, Kaufman described himself as a “father of three who would rather perish than have any one of his children receive an injection where the risks soundly outweigh the benefits gained,” referring to Covid-19 vaccines.
Last year, a panel of vaccine experts selected by Kennedy recommended delaying the hepatitis B vaccine for most children, sparking backlash from public health experts who warn of potentially severe and fatal consequences.
This recommendation is currently paused as a federal court reviews a challenge to Kennedy’s vaccine policies. The panel has also questioned mRNA Covid vaccine safety, and Kennedy has withdrawn funding for the technology.
