FDA Vaccine Official Resigns, Citing Public Health Risks from Kennedy’s Misinformation

The resignation of Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA’s leading vaccine official, highlights the dangerous direction of public health policy under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Marks characterized Kennedy’s push for vaccine misinformation as a risk to public health, stating, “truth and transparency are not desired by the secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.” His departure underscores a significant shift in the FDA’s approach to vaccine safety, which has historically been grounded in robust scientific evidence.

Dr. Marks expressed concern about Kennedy’s aggressive anti-vaccine stance, which threatens decades of public health advancements and the safety of vaccines that have been proven to save millions of lives. Since taking office, Kennedy has issued guidelines that not only undermine vaccine trust but also include promoting debunked treatments such as vitamin A for measles, further imperiling public health amid ongoing outbreaks fueled by vaccination hesitancy.

Marks pointed out that the resurgence of measles, linked to decreasing vaccination rates—particularly among unvaccinated children—could have devastating consequences, as echoed by his mentioning the 100,000 children who died from measles in Africa and Asia last year due to lack of vaccinations. His call for public meetings to address vaccine safety concerns was rebuffed, indicating a top-down approach that values political agendas over scientific dialogue.

Kennedy has moved to install staff connected to the anti-vaccine movement within the CDC, potentially distorting the gathering and analysis of vital vaccine safety data. His plans to launch a vaccine injury agency within the CDC only exacerbate fears that he aims to disproportionately emphasize vaccine risks that have been shown to be minimal compared to the benefits of immunization, creating a perilous narrative undermining established medical practices.

The departure of Dr. Marks represents a critical juncture for the FDA, which now faces a profound challenge under Kennedy’s influence as he seeks to dismantle scientific integrity in favor of populist rhetoric. As Marks noted in his resignation, “the unprecedented assault on scientific truth that has adversely impacted public health in our nation” must cease to ensure citizens can fully benefit from advances in medical science.

(h/t: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/health/fda-vaccines-rfk-jr-peter-marks.html)