Overview

• Peter Marks, the FDA's top vaccine regulator, resigned after being pressured to step down by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., citing Kennedy's promotion of vaccine misinformation.
• The resignation has led to significant declines in biotech and vaccine stock prices, with companies like Moderna and Novavax experiencing sharp drops.
• Kennedy's restructuring of HHS includes plans to cut 10,000 jobs, raising concerns about the agency's capacity to manage public health challenges effectively.
• Public health experts warn that Marks' departure signals a shift away from evidence-based vaccine standards, potentially undermining trust in immunization efforts.
• Marty Makary, the new FDA Commissioner, approved the decision to force Marks out, intensifying fears about the politicization of federal health agencies.