FDA Vaccine Chief Resigns, Accuses RFK Jr. of Spreading Vaccine ‘Misinformation and Lies’

WASHINGTON — A leading vaccine expert at the Food and Drug Administration has resigned, criticizing a top health official for allegedly allowing “misinformation and lies” to influence his views on vaccine safety.

Dr. Peter Marks informed Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner in a letter dated Friday that he would be stepping down and retiring by April 5 from his role as director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

Marks stated in his letter, which was obtained by The Associated Press, that he was “willing to work” on the concerns raised by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding vaccine safety, but ultimately found it unfeasible.

“It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the Secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies,” he wrote.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has not yet responded to requests for comments.

According to a former FDA official with knowledge of the discussions, Kennedy presented Marks with the option of resigning or being terminated. The official requested anonymity due to not having authorization to speak publicly about the situation.

Kennedy has a well-documented history of spreading misinformation regarding vaccines, though he seemingly implied during his Senate confirmation hearings that he wouldn’t undermine them. He assured the chair of the Senate health committee that he would not alter current vaccine recommendations.

Since assuming the role of secretary, Kennedy has pledged to closely examine the safety of childhood vaccines, despite overwhelming evidence accumulated over decades demonstrating their safety and their role in saving millions of lives.

During the pandemic, Marks oversaw the FDA’s expedited review and approval processes for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

Marks is also credited with developing the concept and name for “Operation Warp Speed,” the Trump administration’s initiative to accelerate vaccine production while safety and efficacy testing was still underway. This initiative significantly shortened the typical development timeline.

Despite the success of the project, Trump repeatedly criticized the FDA for not approving the initial COVID-19 vaccines quickly enough. After losing the 2020 election, Trump reportedly told confidants that he believed he would have been re-elected if the vaccine had been available before Election Day.

Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine specialist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, voiced his criticism of what he called the “firing” of Marks.

“RFK Jr.’s firing of Peter Marks because he wouldn’t bend a knee to his misinformation campaign now allows the fox to guard the hen house,” Offit said. “It’s a sad day for America’s children.”

Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf stated that the issues highlighted in Marks’ resignation letter “should be frightening to anyone committed to the importance of evidence to guide policies and patient decisions.”

“I hope this will intensify the communication across academia, industry and government to bolster the importance of science and evidence,” he wrote.

The resignation comes after Friday’s announcement that HHS plans to lay off 10,000 employees and close down entire agencies, including those responsible for overseeing billions of dollars in funding for addiction services and community health centers nationwide.

In a social media post on Thursday, Kennedy criticized the department he leads, labeling it an inefficient “sprawling bureaucracy.” He also blamed the department’s 82,000 employees for a decline in the health of Americans.

The resignation is the latest setback for the troubled health agency, which has been struggling for weeks with layoffs, retirements, and a problematic return-to-office plan that has left many employees without permanent offices, desks, or necessary supplies. Last month, Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for foods, resigned, citing “the indiscriminate firing” of nearly 90 staffers in his division, according to a copy of his resignation letter obtained by the AP.

Marks, who could not be reached for comment, also expressed concern in his letter about “efforts currently being advanced by some on the adverse health effects of vaccination are concerning” as well as the “unprecedented assault on scientific truth that has adversely impacted public health in our nation.”

He further elaborated on the historical benefits of vaccinations, referencing examples dating back to George Washington, and highlighted the current measles outbreak as an example of the potential consequences when doubts about science take hold.

“The ongoing multistate measles outbreak that is particularly severe in Texas reminds us of what happens when confidence in well-established science underlying public health and well-being is undermined,” he wrote.

The measles outbreak, which could last for several months, has now spread to Kansas and Ohio after affecting more than 370 individuals in Texas and New Mexico.

Public health experts warn that if the outbreak spreads to other unvaccinated communities across the U.S., as may be occurring in Kansas, it could persist for a year and jeopardize the nation’s status of having eliminated the local transmission of the vaccine-preventable disease.

—Casey reported from Boston. Perrone reported from Washington, D.C.

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