Dr Weldon is a distinguished physician and former U.S. Congressman whose extensive career in medicine and public service has been marked by a steadfast commitment to patient advocacy, medical ethics, and rigorous scrutiny of public health policies, particularly concerning vaccine safety and its potential links to autism spectrum disorders. A graduate of Stony Brook University with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry in 1978 and the University at Buffalo School of Medicine, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1981, Dr. Weldon began his professional journey as a U.S. Army physician, serving on active duty from 1981 to 1987 and in the Army Reserve until 1992. Following his military service, he established a private medical practice in Florida, specializing in internal medicine, where he provided care to thousands of patients over more than four decades. His clinical expertise has informed his broader contributions to healthcare policy, including his role as president of the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries since 2017, where
he has championed alternative healthcare models grounded in ethical and community-based principles. Dr. Weldon’s tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Florida’s 15th congressional district from 1995 to 2009, elevated his influence on national health issues. As a founding member of the Congressional Autism Caucus, he emerged as a leading voice in the debate over vaccine safety, particularly the role of thimerosal—a mercury-containing preservative—in childhood vaccines and its alleged association with rising autism rates. His lifelong advocacy for autism and children’s health began early in his congressional career, driven by concerns from constituents and emerging research on neurodevelopmental disorders. In 2002, during a House Government Reform Committee hearing on “Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic,” Dr. Weldon highlighted unresolved questions about thimerosal’s safety, noting its chemical similarity to methyl mercury and the high exposure levels in children, which he described as 10 to 30 times toxic dosages. He advocated for independent access to the CDC’s Vaccine Safety Datalink data, duplication of clinical studies like those by Dr. Andrew Wakefield, and a “sunshine law” approach to ensure objective scientific evaluation, emphasizing that autism is likely multifactorial and requires further investigation into subgroups potentially affected by vaccines. In 2004, Dr. Weldon introduced the Mercury-Free Vaccines Act (H.R. 4169), which sought to ban thimerosal from all vaccines by 2006, citing the need to eliminate mercury exposure amid rising autism concerns. He continued this push in 2007 by co-sponsoring the Vaccine Safety and Public Confidence Assurance Act with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, aiming to transfer vaccine safety oversight from the CDC to an independent agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. This bill, allocated $80 million for unbiased research, addressed potential conflicts of interest at the CDC, where vaccine promotion and safety responsibilities overlap, potentially eroding public trust. Dr. Weldon has consistently advocated for further investigation into biologically plausible links between vaccines, such as the MMR and Gardasil, and neurodevelopmental disorders, participating in congressional hearings on mercury exposure and autism epidemics. His perspectives have been featured in documentaries like the 2016 film “Vaxxed,” where he underscored the importance of transparency in vaccine research. In November 2024, President-elect Donald J. Trump nominated Dr. Weldon to serve as Director of the CDC, recognizing his medical background and dedication to reforming public health agencies. Although the nomination was withdrawn in March 2025 amid Senate confirmation proceedings and scrutiny over his vaccine safety views, it highlighted Dr. Weldon’s prominence as a critic of entrenched bureaucratic practices and his alignment with efforts to prioritize vaccine safety and public trust. Throughout his career, Dr. Weldon has maintained support for vaccination programs while insisting on rigorous, independent safety evaluations to address parental concerns and prevent potential harms. As a member of the Vaccine Veritas Scientific Panel and Speakers Panel, Dr. Weldon brings unparalleled expertise and a proven track record of challenging conventional narratives to foster informed dialogue on vaccine integrity. His firsthand experience as a clinician, legislator, and advocate equips him to contribute insightful analyses and evidence-based perspectives, empowering our community to pursue truth and accountability in public health. Dr. Weldon’s involvement underscores Vaccine Veritas’ commitment to assembling leading figures who prioritize scientific rigor and ethical oversight in the pursuit of safer medical interventions.
