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FDA Fires Vaccine-Skeptic Director Amid Leadership Shakeup

5/19/2026

26 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Tracey Beth Høeg was dismissed as director of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the fifth leader since President Donald Trump began.
Høeg criticized COVID-19 shots for children, co-authored a report with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. linking the vaccines to child deaths, and reviewed an FDA infant RSV treatment.
Acting FDA commissioner Kyle Diamantas will stay in his role through early December while a nominee is sought.

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Story summary

Tracey Beth Høeg was dismissed as director of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the fifth leader since President Donald Trump began.
Høeg criticized COVID-19 shots for children, co-authored a report with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. linking the vaccines to child deaths, and reviewed an FDA infant RSV treatment.
Acting FDA commissioner Kyle Diamantas will stay in his role through early December while a nominee is sought.