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RFK Jr. Fires NIAID Director Jeanne Marrazzo Weeks After Whistleblower Complaint

Her attorney calls the move illegal retaliation for her complaint about politicized vaccine research.

Overview

  • Kennedy terminated Marrazzo’s NIAID appointment in a letter dated Sept. 26, and she was notified on Oct. 1, according to documents reviewed by CBS News.
  • Marrazzo and fellow NIH scientist Kathleen Neuzil filed whistleblower complaints in early September alleging grants and clinical trials were canceled for political reasons and that officials were hostile to vaccines.
  • Science first reported that three other NIH institute directors were also dismissed: Diana Bianchi, Eliseo Pérez-Stable, and Shannon Zenk.
  • Kennedy cited statutory authority to appoint or remove NIH institute directors, while Marrazzo’s lawyer says she followed the Office of Special Counsel process and was punished for protected activity.
  • The action is part of a broader HHS shake-up that has included leadership purges, the removal and replacement of CDC vaccine advisors, and changes to research funding priorities.