Harris releases ‘excellent’ medical report after scrutiny of Biden, Trump fitness

Vice President Harris released her medical history on Saturday, which said she is in “excellent health” and has the physical and mental resiliency required to be president, if elected in November.

The report was released from Joshua R. Simmons, the physician to the vice president. He said he has been her primary care physician for the last three and a half years.

Simmons called the Democratic presidential nominee a “healthy 59-year-old female who has a medical history notable for seasonal allergies and urticaria,” which is the medical term for hives that causes itchy skin.

He also noted her allergic symptoms have previously been well-managed by over the counter and prescription medications, including Allegra and eye drops. The urticaria, he said, do not seem to be triggered by any particular exposure and responds well to the medication.

The doctor added that Harris has “been on allergen immunotherapy for the past three years” and her allergy symptoms and urticaria have improved “dramatically” as a result. She doesn’t need any medication for management of symptoms, other than occasional nasal Atrovent, and she has she ever experienced severe symptoms.

Harris also has a mild case of nearsightedness and wears contact lenses, the report reads.

Simmons also outlined her maternal family history of colon cancer and said her only surgery was a laparotomy with an incidental appendectomy for intussusception at 3 years old. The vice president is up to date on preventive care, like colonoscopies and mammograms, and takes vitamin D3 supplements for skeletal health, according to the doctor.

He described her as active and said she also does “vigorous daily aerobic exercise and core strength training,” eats a “very healthy diet,” does not use tobacco products and drinks only occasionally and in moderation.

The information released on Saturday is from Harris’s most recent physical exam conducted in April 2024. Simmons called the exam “unremarkable,” noting that scans were normal and also called the routine bloodwork “unremarkable.”

Harris released her medical history in part to highlight that former President Trump has not released information about his health.

Trump, 78, in August told CBS News he would “very gladly” release his medical records to the public, a month after the first assassination attempt on him in Butler, Pa., but since has not.

The issue of age was a concern among Democrats when President Biden, 81, was at the top of the ticket and the party has attempted to flip the script since Biden stepped aside and Harris became the nominee.

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