Former FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks criticized HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for downplaying measles deaths amid a record outbreak. Kennedy minimized the three U.S. deaths, comparing the situation unfavorably to Europe's higher numbers, a comparison Marks deemed inappropriate given differing public health infrastructure. Marks, ousted from the FDA amidst staff cuts and restructuring, expressed concern over the agency's shifting priorities and the potential impact on vaccine advocacy. He also criticized Kennedy's embrace of the debunked link between vaccines and autism.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.