In a letter addressed to Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner, Dr. Peter Marks, the top vaccine official at the Food and Drug Administration, announced his resignation and retirement as director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research by April 5. Marks expressed concerns about the influence of misinformation and lies on vaccination safety, specifically attributing this to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent figure known for spreading anti-vaccine misinformation.
Marks stated in his letter, obtained by The Associated Press, that he was willing to address Kennedy’s concerns about vaccination safety but ultimately found it impossible to do so. He criticized the lack of truth and transparency in decision-making, accusing the nation’s top health official of seeking subservient confirmation of misinformation.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not provide a comment on the matter. According to a former FDA official familiar with the situation, Marks was given the ultimatum to resign or be fired by Kennedy.
Kennedy, known for his history of spreading anti-vaccine views, had pledged during his Senate confirmation hearings not to undermine existing vaccine recommendations. However, since taking office, he has vowed to scrutinize the safety of childhood vaccinations, despite overwhelming evidence of their safety and life-saving benefits.
Marks played a crucial role in overseeing the FDA’s expedited review and approval of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments during the pandemic. He is credited with coining the term “Operation Warp Speed” under the Trump administration to accelerate vaccine development, despite facing criticism from former President Trump for delays in vaccine approval.
The decision to step down drew criticism from experts in the field, with Dr. Paul Offit expressing concern over the dismissal of Marks for refusing to align with misinformation. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf highlighted the importance of evidence-based decision-making and called for increased collaboration among academia, industry, and government to prioritize science.
Marks’ resignation comes amidst broader changes within HHS, including plans to lay off thousands of workers and restructure agencies overseeing critical services. Kennedy has been vocal about the need to streamline the department’s operations, citing inefficiencies in the sprawling bureaucracy and a decline in Americans’ health.
The departure of Marks represents a setback for the FDA and raises questions about the agency’s ability to uphold scientific integrity in policymaking and public health decisions.
In recent weeks, the FDA has been plagued by layoffs, retirements, and a disorganized return-to-office process that left many employees without permanent workspaces or supplies. Jim Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for foods, resigned last month, expressing concern over the mass termination of nearly 90 staff members in his division. His resignation letter, obtained by the AP, outlined worries about the adverse health effects of vaccination skepticism and the erosion of scientific truth affecting public health nationwide.
Jones highlighted the long-standing benefits of vaccinations, dating back to George Washington, and emphasized the dangers of vaccine hesitancy, citing the ongoing multistate measles outbreak as a stark example. This outbreak, predominantly affecting Texas and New Mexico with cases now emerging in Kansas and Ohio, serves as a reminder of the repercussions when confidence in established science wavers.
Public health experts warn that if the measles outbreak spreads further to unvaccinated communities across the U.S., particularly in Kansas, it could persist for up to a year, jeopardizing the nation’s progress in eradicating vaccine-preventable diseases locally.
The situation underscores the critical importance of upholding trust in scientific research and promoting vaccination to safeguard public health.
