Dr. Peter Marks, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine official, resigned on March 29, citing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s approach to vaccines as “irresponsible” and harmful to public health. In a strongly worded letter to acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner, Dr. Marks accused Kennedy of promoting misinformation and rejecting transparency.
Dr. Marks, who resigned under pressure, had attempted to address Kennedy’s concerns about vaccine safety through public meetings and collaborations with scientific organizations but was rebuffed. Kennedy has downplayed the severity of Covid-19 and extolled vitamin A as an alternative treatment during a measles outbreak, raising concerns among health experts.
In his resignation letter, Dr. Marks emphasized the importance of vaccines and warned against undermining public confidence in their safety and effectiveness. He expressed hope for an end to the “assault on scientific truth” under the current administration.
The Department of Health and Human Services defended Kennedy’s leadership, stating that Dr. Marks was unwilling to align with the administration’s priorities. The resignation highlights ongoing tensions over vaccine policies and public health strategies.