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FDA's top vaccine scientist is forced out (www.nbcnews.com)
submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world
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Summary

Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA’s top vaccine regulator, resigned after reportedly being forced out amid clashes with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In his resignation letter, Marks wrote that Kennedy wanted "subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies."

He criticized Kennedy’s stance on vaccines, accusing him of undermining public confidence.

Marks, who led the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research since 2016, played a key role in authorizing Covid vaccines and spearheading Operation Warp Speed. Kennedy, an anti-vaccine activist, has questioned the safety of Covid and MMR vaccines despite scientific consensus.

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[-] peoplebeproblems@midwest.social 82 points 3 days ago

This is bad. This is really bad. We knew it was coming, but if the FDA is dismantled to syncopats, a lot of people will die.

Corporations will cheap out on food safety, drug safey, medical device safety, health recommendations, vaccines, research, you name it.

Preventable disease will spread. More people will die in hospitals on life saving equipment. Any exported medications (I don't know if that's a thing) will have to be blocked by the receiving countries.

[-] mox@lemmy.sdf.org 16 points 3 days ago

if the FDA is dismantled to syncopats

Did you mean sycophants? Psychopaths? Something else?

[-] peoplebeproblems@midwest.social 9 points 3 days ago

.... Yes

I couldn't figure out how to spell it lol

[-] Bsher8365@lemmy.world 67 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

As a US citizen, I don't say this lightly - the die has been struck and no one’s coming to save us. But you can control your own health destiny. If in the US, become familiar with the location of your nearest travel vaccine center and start getting some of the common ones as boosters. Most all produced vaccines worldwide can be had at these centers for $100-300. They usually don’t take medical insurance in my experience, but will be happy to give you most any vaccine you desire. Some insurances will reimburse some but not all expenses. I consider it an investment. Start now, getting everything that you can reasonably afford, as quickly as you can. If over 40, start with MMR (measles-mumps-rubella). Polio month after that. Then collect all the rest monthly like Pokémon cards. I believe that things are about to get high-risk/out of hand quickly, not just measles, but basically all previously eradicated diseases - and waiting until you have a locally-recognized breakout to visit your doctor to administer a booster only works if you haven’t been exposed yet.

[-] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 23 points 3 days ago

This is the same logic people like Kennedy use. Talk to your doctor about whether this would be helpful or effective. Don't just go get vaccines because "if one is good two must be better!"

[-] Bsher8365@lemmy.world 44 points 3 days ago

Respectfully disagree - not the same at all. It’s science proven that approved vaccines are useful for preventing infections, that’s why we have them in the first place. Kennedy’s logic is not based on science but rather false correlation and unsound intuition.

If your area has an outbreak in anything preventable, everyone will be encouraged to go get a vaccine if never received, or a booster if already vaccinated. Nothing wrong with getting vaccines/boosters ahead of time - lots wrong with not getting them.

[-] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 days ago

This is a completely different argument.

[-] 0x0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 22 points 3 days ago

This is the same logic people like Kennedy use.

It's not the same logic it all? It's not a huge leap to guess that we're about to have a measles or bird flu pandemic.

Talk to your doctor about whether this would be helpful or effective. Don't just go get vaccines because "if one is good two must be better!"

Did they recommend getting non-evidence-based repeat vaccinations? It just sounded like they recommended getting vaccinations that are not commonly given to US unless they're traveling.

[-] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 7 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

It’s not the same logic it al

"Vitamin C is good for you - TAKE ALL THE VITAMIN C!"

"Vaccines are good for you - COLLECT THEM LIKE POKEMON!"

Did they recommend getting non-evidence-based repeat vaccinations?

Yes: "Start now, getting everything that you can reasonably afford, as quickly as you can"

That's a waste of money and resources if you don't need boosters.

[-] thetreesaysbark@sh.itjust.works 12 points 3 days ago

Yes: "Start now, getting everything that you can reasonably afford, as quickly as you can"

If you think the answer to that question is yes then I think you've misunderstood their point.

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[-] cogman@lemmy.world 6 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

if you don’t need boosters.

You can always get tested to see if you need boosters. However, there's no harm to getting a booster and if your immunity level has dropped it's a surefire way to make sure you are protected for the next 10+ years depending on what you got boosted for.

Nobody is saying after getting the booster that you need to continue getting boosters for the same disease. 1 is enough to hopefully outlast this admin and insanity.

MMR, in particular, would be a very good one to get as Measles appears to be back in force.

I haven't gotten a booster in 20 years and I'm due. I plan on getting them all.

[-] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 days ago

Nobody is saying after getting the booster that you need to continue getting boosters for the same disease.

That is exactly what the post I replied to was saying. "Get all you can afford".

[-] MagicShel@lemmy.zip 27 points 3 days ago

When vaccines are no longer available in the US, there will be a tourism boost from Americans going elsewhere to get them. You guys can just shift us left by helping lefties survive while conservatives self-select to be decimated by disease.

[-] trevor 44 points 3 days ago

That isn't how this works. Herd immunity is extremely important for people who actually can't safely be vaccinated, but more importantly, having large populations of anti-vaxxers will create ample opportunity for the viruses to mutate into forms that we don't necessarily have vaccines for.

We are all truly fucked unless we deal with these scum. It's not just going to hurt the people causing the problem, and it will spread to the rest of the world.

[-] MagicShel@lemmy.zip 9 points 3 days ago

You understand what you're saying with "deal with these scum," right? They are the government. If they don't outright ban vaccines, they will pull all funding of them.

There is only one cure for a fascist government, and we aren't desperate enough for that. Yet.

Until then, we'll have to work around them. Many on the left are marginalized folks. I don't include myself there, but if anyone in this country knows how to skirt the rules to live their life, it's them. They will lead the way.

Underground vaccine clubs. Phrases like, "friends of Edward Jenner." I mean it probably sounds a little more tongue in cheek than I intend. I'm not saying this will be a gay old time. I'm saying we will find ways to survive and thrive despite their best efforts, as people always have (I mean, you know, barring the occasional genocide).

And if it becomes desperate enough to remove fascists the only way they can be, we will do that, too.

[-] trevor 7 points 3 days ago

I don't disagree with any of this. We just also need to be realistic about the fact that viruses have no boundaries and they don't discern between marginalized people and fascist shitheads when they mutate and spread.

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[-] CosmicTurtle0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 3 days ago

I've been saying for years that we're going to have a civil war. I predicted it when I was a hard line conservative and I've been saying now as a bleeding heart liberal.

I was just hoping that I'd be much older when it happened.

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[-] yumpsuit@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago

Gonna stand at the US-Canadian border with my sleeve rolled up, cover myself in maple syrup, and wait for favorable winds so the Mounties’ vaccine drone can dart me

[-] BagOfHeavyStones@piefed.social 13 points 3 days ago

That's assuming other countries will still let you in. If there's some outbreak a bit like the 'Rona again, they might say no vaccine no entry.

[-] MagicShel@lemmy.zip 4 points 3 days ago

If they just forcibly vaccinate and quarantine, that would accomplish the mission. Worst vacation ever, though.

[-] lobut@lemmy.ca 14 points 3 days ago

I wonder if we can come up with another set of the Bible plagues for the Trump administration because it seems like they're trying to do it.

[-] Bread@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 days ago

Measles is picking up again, why not that one?

[-] ChaoticEntropy@feddit.uk 4 points 3 days ago

The death of your first born... along with your second, third, etc. All the born, really.

[-] harmsy@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

Quick, somebody gather up a bunch of frogs and airdrop them over Mar A Lago.

[-] pixelpure@lemm.ee 7 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

The Trump administration has always placed its own interests ahead of science. Women’s health, the definition of race, and vaccines have all been targeted. The U.S. will continue to lose its scientific researchers for the Trump admin to promote its own agenda. Trickle down economics didn’t work, but scientific research strangulation will affect all U.S. citizens.

[-] Fredthefishlord 1 points 3 days ago

It's not in their interests to deny science... Their support base is going to be most hurt... It's just stupid

[-] rosco385@lemm.ee 6 points 3 days ago

This is the "fuck around" portion. I fear for ordinary Americans when the "find out" part comes.

[-] NewDay@feddit.org 3 points 3 days ago

Just come to Germany.

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this post was submitted on 29 Mar 2025
527 points (100.0% liked)

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