Ophthalmologist is front-runner for next FDA vaccine chief, sources say

Health newsOphthalmologist is front-runner for next FDA vaccine chief, sources sayDr. Houman Hemmati is among "several" candidates to replace Dr. Vinay Prasad in the role. Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00The FDA's current vaccine chief, Dr. Vinay Prasad, is leaving the agency this month.Sarah Silbiger / Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 14, 2026, 1:27 PM EDTBy Berkeley Lovelace Jr.Dr. Houman Hemmati, an ophthalmologist critical of the government’s Covid vaccine response, is the front-runner for the role of the nation’s vaccine chief at the Food and Drug Administration, according to two people familiar with the matter. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.If selected, Hemmati would replace Dr. Vinay Prasad, who is leaving the agency this month after facing criticism over the FDA’s delay or rejection of several treatments and vaccines, including a gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare blood cancer treatment and Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine. Prasad was also the author of a controversial memo claiming the Covid vaccines killed at least 10 children; evidence backing the claim was never released. The director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) leads the division responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of vaccines and gene therapies.A decision on who will lead CBER is likely imminent, the people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.Hemmati is said to be FDA Commissioner Marty Makary’s preferred candidate, one of the people said. “Several” candidates are under consideration, the other person said. The White House, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the FDA are all closely involved in the decision.FORSUBSCRIBERS00:0000:00This deadly childhood illness could be making a comeback02:31Although officials within HHS view Hemmati as the topic...