‘She has no expertise’: the US medical community girds for Tracy Beth Høeg’s tenure at the FDA
The Danish American who doubted Covid shots is meant to lead drug regulation – but has focused on vaccines
TL;DR
- Tracy Beth Høeg, a sports physician and epidemiologist, has been appointed acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).
- Høeg has previously cast doubt on Covid-19 vaccines and focused on potential deaths after vaccination.
- Critics question Høeg's qualifications for the CDER role, citing a lack of experience in drug development and large-scale organization management.
- Høeg has advocated for aligning US childhood vaccine recommendations with Denmark's, which differs significantly from the US schedule.
- Her appointment suggests a potential closer partnership between drug and vaccine centers at the FDA.
- Concerns exist about a potential shift towards laxer drug regulations, except for vaccines.
- Høeg has been criticized for using unconfirmed data and advising officials to alter data regarding vaccine safety.
- She has also questioned the safety of aluminum in vaccines and the data on giving multiple vaccines concurrently.
- The appointment of contrarians like Høeg to high-profile positions in the Trump administration is seen by some as a "revenge tour."
- Former FDA officials express concern over a lack of transparency in vaccine regulatory changes.