Prime US vaccine official resigns citing RFK ‘misinformation’ push

The Meals and Drug Administration’s prime vaccine regulator abruptly resigned Friday, citing what he referred to as Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to unfold misinformation in regards to the security of immunizations, based on a letter obtained by Bloomberg.

Peter Marks, who was a key determine in Operation Warp Velocity, stepped down from his place because the director of the FDA’s Heart for Biologics Analysis and Analysis, which is chargeable for the security and effectiveness of vaccines, together with gene therapies and blood merchandise.

“I was willing to work to address the Secretary’s concerns regarding vaccine safety and transparency,” he stated. “However it has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the Secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.” 

Kennedy has overtly questioned the security of vaccines for years. Early in his tenure as well being secretary, HHS has postponed and canceled conferences of out of doors vaccine specialists, introduced plans to review hyperlinks between vaccines and autism and canceled funding to review vaccine hesitancy. 

Learn Extra: RFK Jr.’s First Defeat on CDC Chief Exams Vaccine Agenda Limits

“The ongoing multistate measles outbreak that is particularly severe in Texas reminds us of what happens when confidence in well-established science underlying public health and well-being is undermined,” Marks stated in his resignation letter Friday. “The vaccine very simply does not cause autism, nor is it associated with encephalitis or death.”

An HHS official stated if Marks doesn’t wish to get behind Kennedy’s push for transparency, he shouldn’t keep on the FDA. 

Marks stated he didn’t agree with the path of the brand new administration. 

“Undermining confidence in well-established vaccines that have met the high standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness that have been in place for decades at FDA is irresponsible, detrimental to public health, and a clear danger to our nation’s health, safety. and security,” he stated in his letter.

HHS on Thursday introduced mass layoffs of 10,000 staff throughout the federal businesses, which mixed with buyout and early retirement applications will scale back the division’s workforce by round 25%. The company stated that staff who assessment medication wouldn’t be laid off.

Marks, who resigned efficient April 5, has been director of the middle since 2016. 

The Wall Road Journal first reported Marks’ departure.

This story was initially featured on Fortune.com