Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has removed Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, a senior official at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Marrazzo, previously head of the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), had filed a whistleblower complaint alleging that the Trump administration opposed vaccines. She was demoted in March from her leadership role at NIAID.
Marrazzo stated that her termination reflected a lack of commitment to scientific integrity and public health, according to reports. She urged Congress to safeguard research from political interference. Marrazzo had previously criticized Kennedy Jr., claiming her demotion stemmed from advocating for childhood vaccines.
The allegations in Marrazzo’s complaint centered on Dr. Matthew Memoli, who served as acting NIH director before transitioning to a senior role. Marrazzo alleged that Memoli downplayed the importance of vaccines, echoing views associated with Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic. She described the statements as alarming and reminiscent of his anti-vaccine rhetoric.
Marrazzo received notice of her termination from Kennedy Jr. last week. Her lawyer accused HHS of retaliating against her whistleblowing, citing her advocacy for vaccine safety and efficacy. A spokesperson for the agency denied the claims, stating she was not fired due to her whistleblower activities.
Marrazzo and another official, Kathleen Neuzil, M.D., had filed complaints with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel in September, alleging retaliatory actions for raising concerns about public health impacts. Both were on administrative leave since April, awaiting reassignment that never materialized.
