Peter Marks, the chief vaccine expert at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was forced to resign due to disagreements with Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr, who is known for his sceptical stance on vaccination.
According to the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, Marks was given the choice of leaving voluntarily or being fired. In his farewell statement, he criticised the management for their unwillingness to listen to science:
“Attacking the scientific truth and undermining trust in proven vaccines is irresponsible and dangerous for society,” Marks wrote.
Robert Kennedy Jr, who has previously spread fake claims about the link between the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism, has repeatedly questioned the safety of vaccinations. His position has drawn criticism among scientists, as the United States is currently facing a measles outbreak that has already resulted in the death of a child in Texas, the first fatality in a decade.
Nevertheless, in early March, Kennedy Jr. said he supported vaccination against the disease, although vaccination rates in the country continue to fall due to the spread of misinformation.
The dismissal of Marks is a major concern among experts, as the FDA remains a key body in ensuring the safety and efficacy of medicines. His departure could mean a change in vaccination policy in the US.
