Who Is Vinay Prasad? RFK Jr. Taps Pharma Critic to Lead FDA Vaccine Program

Dr. Vinay Prasad, a known critic of both the pharmaceutical industry and the Food and Drug Administration, has been appointed to lead the FDA's program overseeing vaccines and biotechnology drugs.

FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary announced the decision in a message to staff on Tuesday, lauding Prasad's "long and distinguished history in medicine." The FDA falls under the guidance of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Why It Matters

Prasad's appointment marks the latest addition of a medical skeptic and vocal critic of COVID-19 policies to the federal health leadership under President Donald Trump. His predecessor, Peter Marks, abruptly resigned in March over disagreements with Kennedy.

What To Know

Prasad's new role has traditionally been held by an FDA career scientist, but he will be moving from his position as a hematologist-oncologist and professor at the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco.

The appointment could raise more questions around the scrutiny vaccines and other new medications face. His new boss, Kennedy, has also been vocal in his skepticism of vaccines and their long-debunked links to conditions such as autism.

In a post about Marks on X, formerly Twitter, Prasad said his predecessor was like "a bobblehead doll that just stamps approval." He has also said that the United States would potentially be better off without the FDA as it is today.

Prasad came to prominence for a series of papers scrutinizing the evidence behind new cancer therapies. He and his colleagues said that many cancer drugs fast-tracked by the agency he will now work for had never been proven to improve or extend lives, but were instead judged on abilities such as shrinking tumors.

The FDA has long defended this practice as a way of accelerating approval of medicines for desperately ill patients.

Prasad's criticisms of COVID-19 public health measures, including mask mandates, brought him more attention and raised concerns about how quickly vaccine boosters from Pfizer and Moderna were made available.

Another concern raised by Prasad and his colleagues was the recommendation to give teens and young adults, particularly males, the booster despite signs of a higher rate of myocarditis, or a rare form of mild heart inflammation.

Prasad then appeared on podcasts related to Kennedy's "Make America Healthy Again" campaign, which has also been seen to criticize the FDA.

What People Are Saying

FDA Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary, on X Tuesday: "Dr. Prasad brings the kind of scientific rigor, independence, and transparency we need at CBER — a significant step forward."

Timothy Caulfield, a health law professor and media personality, on X: "Zero surprise. Perfect MAGA fit. Another contrarian voice. Do these academics reflect: 'I'm totally cool enabling RFK jr's harmful lies & this anti-science authoritarian regime. My legacy is darkness.'"

John Mandrola, MD, a heart doctor, on X: "If you care about evidence-based practice, there's no better choice than VP. This is a win for US healthcare and a giant step forward in regaining lost trust."

What's Next

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced a new vaccine program, which will aid in developing shots for pandemic-prone viruses. A target of 2029 was set for initial FDA approval, potentially under Prasad's leadership.

This article contains reporting by the Associated Press.

Update 5/6/25, 4:01 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.