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.

  • Bsher8365@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    70
    arrow-down
    3
    ·
    edit-2
    4 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
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      24
      arrow-down
      43
      ·
      4 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
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        46
        ·
        4 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.

      • Trailblazing Braille Taser@lemmy.dbzer0.com
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        24
        arrow-down
        2
        ·
        4 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
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          7
          arrow-down
          21
          ·
          edit-2
          4 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
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            13
            ·
            4 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.

          • cogman@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            6
            ·
            edit-2
            4 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
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              3
              arrow-down
              2
              ·
              4 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”.