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FDA Vaccine Chief Steps Down Amidst Controversy
Dr. Peter Marks, a leading vaccine regulator at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has reportedly resigned, according to an official at the Department of Health and Human Services. This development occurs amidst growing tensions regarding vaccine safety and the role of science in public health decisions. The departure of Dr. Marks, who oversaw the agency’s crucial biologics division, raises concerns about the future direction of vaccine oversight and transparency at the FDA.
HHS Spokesperson Cites Shift in Scientific Standards
An HHS spokesperson stated that the resignation was linked to differing views on scientific integrity. “If Peter Marks does not want to support the restoration of science to its highest standards and advance open transparency, then he is not aligned with the FDA’s direction under Secretary Kennedy’s leadership,” the spokesperson conveyed.
Sources Suggest Forced Resignation
NBC News cited an individual familiar with the situation who indicated that Dr. Marks was compelled to leave his position, suggesting the resignation was not voluntary.
Marks’ Resignation Letter Emphasizes Public Health Concerns
In his resignation letter addressed to acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner, Dr. Marks articulated his concerns about undermining public trust in vaccines. He stated that eroding confidence in vaccines is “irresponsible, detrimental to public health, and a manifest danger to our nation’s health, safety, and security.”
Dr. Marks affirmed his willingness to collaborate with Secretary Kennedy to address legitimate questions surrounding vaccine safety and openness.
Accusations of Misinformation
However, Dr. Marks asserted, “it has become evident that truth and transparency are not valued by the secretary, who instead seeks compliant endorsement of his misinformation and falsehoods.”
Dr. Marks has not yet responded to requests for comment on his departure.
Dr. Marks’ Tenure at the FDA
Since 2016, Dr. Marks has directed the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER). This division is critical for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of various medical products, notably including vaccines.
Key Role in COVID-19 Vaccine Authorization
Dr. Marks played a central role in the nation’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. He was instrumental in authorizing the initial Covid-19 vaccines in late 2020, beginning with the Pfizer-BioNTech and subsequently the Moderna vaccines. Furthermore, he was a key figure in launching Operation Warp Speed, the public-private partnership initiated by the prior administration to expedite vaccine development.
Secretary Kennedy’s Anti-Vaccine Stance
Secretary Kennedy, known for his activism against vaccines, has been a vocal critic of Covid-19 vaccines. In 2021, he submitted a citizen petition to the FDA requesting the revocation of the vaccines’ authorization. That same year, he reportedly characterized the Covid vaccine as “the most lethal vaccine ever created.”
Concerns Regarding Measles Vaccine Misinformation
Secretary Kennedy has also been involved in efforts to weaken public confidence in the measles vaccine, amidst a significant measles outbreak in the U.S., the largest since 2019. Despite acknowledging that vaccines protect children from measles, he has publicly stated that the choice to vaccinate is a “personal” one.
In a recent interview on Fox News, Secretary Kennedy asserted that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine “does cause deaths annually.”
Expert Rebuttals on MMR Vaccine Safety
The Infectious Disease Society of America has stated that there have been no documented deaths linked to the MMR vaccine in healthy individuals. The vaccine is generally not advised for individuals with compromised immune systems.
Resignation Letter Highlights Measles Outbreak
“The current multi-state measles outbreak, particularly pronounced in Texas, serves as a stark reminder of the repercussions when trust in established scientific principles underpinning public health and well-being is undermined,” Dr. Marks emphasized in his resignation letter.
He further noted, “Measles, responsible for over 100,000 deaths among unvaccinated children last year in Africa and Asia due to complications like pneumonitis and encephalitis, had been effectively eliminated from our country.”