FDA Chief Resigns Amidst Vaccine Battle with RFK Jr.

Scientists in lab coats conducting experiments with beakers

FDA’s top vaccine official Dr. Peter Marks has resigned after being allegedly pushed out, accusing HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of prioritizing misinformation over scientific truth in an escalating battle over vaccine policy.

Quick Takes

  • Dr. Peter Marks, who played a key role in “Operation Warp Speed,” will leave his FDA position effective April 5 after reportedly being given a choice to resign or be fired
  • Marks directly accused HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of preferring “subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies” over truth and transparency
  • Kennedy, who has a history of vaccine skepticism, had promised during confirmation hearings not to undermine vaccines but now faces criticism for his department’s actions
  • The resignation comes amid a measles outbreak that Marks attributes to undermined public confidence in established science
  • HHS is reportedly planning to lay off 10,000 workers and restructure agencies under Kennedy’s leadership

High-Profile Departure Signals Deep Divide

Dr. Peter Marks, who has served as the Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine chief since 2016, submitted his resignation amid what sources describe as significant pressure from newly appointed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. According to multiple reports, Marks was effectively forced out, given the choice to resign or be terminated. His departure, effective April 5, has sent shockwaves through the medical and public health communities, particularly given his central role in overseeing COVID-19 vaccine development and approval through Operation Warp Speed.

In his resignation letter to Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner, Marks did not mince words about his reasons for leaving. The veteran health official directly accused Kennedy of prioritizing misinformation over scientific evidence. The dispute highlights growing tensions between career public health officials and political appointees over vaccine safety communication and policy direction.

Competing Visions for Public Health

Kennedy, who has long been known for his skeptical stance on vaccines despite claiming to be “pro-safety” rather than “anti-vaccine,” appears to be reshaping the department according to his vision. An unnamed HHS official defended the change in leadership, stating that Marks “does not want to get behind restoring science to its golden standard and promoting radical transparency.” This statement suggests fundamental disagreements about what constitutes scientific standards and transparency in vaccine oversight, with Kennedy’s team positioning themselves as reformers.

The leadership change comes at a concerning time for public health in America. Marks specifically pointed to the current measles outbreak spreading across multiple states as evidence of the consequences when public confidence in established science is undermined. Marks emphasized his position that the measles vaccine does not cause autism, directly challenging a claim that has circulated in vaccine-skeptical circles.

Broader Implications for Health Department

The resignation is part of a larger shake-up at HHS under Kennedy’s leadership. Reports indicate plans to lay off approximately 10,000 workers and restructure or eliminate certain agencies within the department. Kennedy has publicly criticized the department he now oversees as inefficient and has suggested that its workers bear responsibility for declining health metrics among Americans. These planned changes have created an atmosphere of uncertainty throughout the federal health apparatus.

Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf responded to the news by emphasizing the importance of evidence-based policies, expressing hope that this situation “will intensify the communication across academia, industry and government to bolster the importance of science and evidence.”

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