FDA's Top Vaccine Official Peter Marks Forced to Resign Amid HHS Pressure

Peter Marks, head of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research and a key figure in COVID-19 vaccine development during President Trump’s first term, resigned effective April 5, 2025, after being pressured by a Health and Human Services official. Marks was given an ultimatum to either resign or be dismissed, and he chose resignation, citing a conflict with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Marks accused Kennedy of prioritizing misinformation over scientific truth. Kennedy, who has been associated with spreading vaccine-related misinformation, also announced plans to restructure federal public health agencies, involving significant employee cuts and centralizing certain functions. As of now, comments from Marks, the FDA, and the Trump administration have not been obtained.