What If the FDA Vaccine Chief Was Required to Be Someone with a Background in Vaccines?

"The Trump-era patronage system has affected us all, by so often thrusting inexperienced randos with obvious political mandates into important positions that have previously always been occupied by career civil servants or specialized leaders."

"The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been run in the second Trump administration, cycling through three directors so far, two of whom have had zero background in emergency management or disaster response."

"The frontrunner to become the FDA's new vaccine chief is an ophthalmologist with no relevant background in vaccines, raising questions about his qualifications for the role."

"Hemmati has an RFK Jr.-approved history of criticizing the U.S. government's COVID-19 vaccine response, which may have contributed to his position as a candidate for the vaccine chief role."

The Trump administration's patronage system has led to the appointment of individuals lacking relevant experience in critical roles. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has seen three directors, two without emergency management backgrounds. The frontrunner for the FDA's vaccine chief position is Dr. Houman Hemmati, an ophthalmologist with no vaccine experience. His criticism of the U.S. government's COVID-19 vaccine response may have influenced his candidacy. This trend raises concerns about the qualifications of those in key positions.

Read at Jezebel