Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Director resigns

The top vaccine official with the FDA has resigned and criticized the nation's top health official for allowing "misinformation and lies" to guide his thinking behind the safety of vaccinations. Peter Marks, MD, PhD, sent a letter to FDA Acting Commissioner Sara Brenner, MD, MPH, on Friday saying that he would resign and retire by April 5 as director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

In his letter, which was obtained by the Associated Press, Marks said he was "willing to work" to address the concerns expressed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), about the safety of vaccinations. But he concluded that wasn't possible. "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," he wrote.