FDA's Controversial Vaccine Chief Steps Down, Again

Vinay Prasad is heading back to UC San Francisco, per FDA chief Marty Makary

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Dr. Vinay Prasad, the top vaccines regulator at the Food and Drug Administration, will be leaving his position next month. Prasad's short tenure has been marked by internal clashes and public controversy, including disagreements over halting shipments of a Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy and delays or denials of rare-disease drugs. He also faced criticism for claiming in a November memo that COVID vaccines had killed at least 10 children without providing supporting evidence.

Why it matters

Prasad's departure adds to ongoing leadership turbulence at the FDA, CDC, and NIH, which could impact the agency's ability to effectively regulate and approve new vaccines and treatments.

The details

Prasad initially stepped aside last year after disagreements over halting shipments of a Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy, a move that drew attacks from right-wing activist Laura Loomer. He returned less than two weeks later with the backing of both FDA chief Marty Makary and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Prasad later faced criticism for delays or denials of rare-disease drugs and for failing to deliver on promises to speed up approvals. He also claimed in a November memo that COVID vaccines had killed at least 10 children and questioned their benefits for healthy kids, without providing supporting evidence.

  • Prasad took over the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research last year.
  • Prasad briefly resigned in July 2025 before returning a short time later.
  • Prasad will be leaving his position next month (April 2026).

The players

Vinay Prasad

The top vaccines regulator at the Food and Drug Administration who is leaving his position next month.

Marty Makary

The FDA chief who backed Prasad's return to the agency last year.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Health Secretary who also backed Prasad's return to the FDA last year.

Laura Loomer

A right-wing activist who attacked Prasad's initial decision to step aside last year.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

A successor to Prasad will be named before he leaves the FDA next month.

The takeaway

Prasad's departure adds to ongoing leadership turbulence at the FDA, CDC, and NIH, which could impact the agency's ability to effectively regulate and approve new vaccines and treatments. The controversy surrounding Prasad's tenure highlights the challenges facing the FDA in balancing public health priorities with internal politics and external pressures.