FDA’s Peter Marks Resigns, Citing RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Misinformation

The departure of the FDA's top vaccine official highlights growing concerns over public health leadership as the U.S. faces a worsening measles outbreak.

Dr. Peter Marks, FDA's top vaccine regulator and a key architect of Operation Warp Speed, was forced to resign, effective April 5, after refusing to align with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine policies.
Marks accused Kennedy of promoting vaccine misinformation and undermining public confidence in well-established immunizations, calling it a danger to public health and safety.
The resignation comes as the U.S. grapples with a severe measles outbreak, with Texas reporting over 400 cases, exacerbating concerns about declining vaccination rates.
Kennedy’s tenure has been marked by controversial actions, including canceling vaccine expert meetings, defunding vaccine hesitancy research, and creating a new office to study vaccine injuries.
Public health experts warn that Marks’ departure, coupled with significant staff cuts at federal health agencies, could jeopardize vaccine development and the nation’s preparedness against infectious diseases.