Dr. Vinay Prasad is returning to his role as the FDA’s top vaccine regulator less than two weeks after stepping down amid pressure from biotech companies, patient groups, and conservative supporters of former President Donald Trump. A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Prasad’s reinstatement on Monday.
Prasad had left the agency late last month following backlash from right-wing activists, including Laura Loomer, due to his previous criticisms of Trump. Known for his critical stance on the FDA’s medicine approval processes, Prasad had briefly halted shipments of a gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy after two patient deaths. This move faced strong opposition from families affected by the disease and libertarians advocating for broader access to experimental treatments.
His decision to pause the therapy was criticized by figures such as the Wall Street Journal editorial board and former Republican Senator Rick Santorum. The FDA quickly reversed the suspension on the therapy.
Loomer labeled Prasad a “progressive leftist saboteur,” highlighting his past praise for liberal independent Senator Bernie Sanders. However, Prasad had support from FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., both of whom have pushed for more scrutiny of COVID-19 vaccine usage.
During his tenure, Prasad tightened approval standards, limiting the authorization of two new COVID-19 vaccines from Novavax and Moderna and establishing tougher testing requirements for future vaccines.
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