Top FDA vaccine regulator returns to agency weeks after firing

The Food and Drug Administration restored a top vaccine regulator to his position at the agency just weeks after firing him.

Dr. Vinay Prasad resigned after some of his past comments were highlighted by right-wing commentator Laura Loomer, though he was widely believed to have been forced out. His firing was against the wishes of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, who advocated on his behalf. The HHS celebrated his rehiring in a statement, blaming “fake news” for his previous firing.

“At the FDA’s request, Dr. Vinay Prasad is resuming leadership of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research,” HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in a statement. “Neither the White House nor HHS will allow the fake news media to distract from the critical work the FDA is carrying out under the Trump administration.”

Loomer was quick to denounce the rehiring of Prasad...