Vinay Prasad, a physician and professor at the University of California, San Francisco, has returned to the public eye following his contentious tenure as director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), which oversees vaccine and gene therapy approvals. Prasad rose to prominence as a critic of the public health establishment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an August 26, 2026 interview with Reason's Zach Weissmueller, Prasad addressed intense criticism he faced, including accusations from agency insiders about his management style and labels from conservative figures branding him a "progressive-left saboteur." He defended his rejection of Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine application, which the FDA approved after his departure.

Prasad also discussed a controversial internal memo he authored claiming "at least 10 children have died after and because of receiving COVID-19 vaccination" and that "for the first time, the US FDA will acknowledge that COVID-19 vaccines have killed American children." However, the official FDA report released after Prasad left identified zero "certain" childhood deaths linked to the vaccine, with five classified as "possibly" and two as "probably." Prasad contends the data were altered following media attention on his letter for "political or professional" reasons.

Reflecting on his experience, Prasad said the entrenched political and bureaucratic challenges within the FDA have made him "a bit more libertarian" and open to the concept of "Consumer Reports–style agencies" competing with government drug approvals to provide Americans with more product choice.

Prasad also criticized Anthony Fauci, describing him as emblematic of the "old guard." He noted Fauci's recent congressional appearance where he pleaded the Fifth amid the publication of his diaries by Senator Rand Paul. Prasad highlighted Fauci's past advocacy for gain-of-function research and alleged concealment of scientific facts to support policy mandates aligned with Democratic leadership.

Some defenders of Fauci argue he did not promote harmful actions such as drinking bleach, to which Prasad responded by questioning whether that should be the standard for a doctor and scientist.

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