Shares of Pfizer and Moderna experienced notable declines on Friday, following a report that officials from the Trump administration plan to link COVID-19 vaccines to the deaths of 25 children. According to the Washington Post, this assertion is slated to be included in an upcoming presentation to a crucial vaccine advisory panel for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This panel, known as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), plays a significant role in determining vaccine recommendations, including who should be vaccinated and which vaccines should be covered by insurance.
The report indicated that the presentation is not final, raising concerns about the accuracy and implications of the claims being made. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services clarified that while the FDA and CDC routinely analyze data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and share safety reviews publicly, the information related to these deaths should be viewed as speculative until fully disclosed.
In the wake of the report, shares of Pfizer fell by more than 3%, while Moderna’s stock dropped over 7%. The decline extended to Novavax, which also saw a more than 4% decrease in its stock value. This market reaction coincides with changes in vaccine policy led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has recommended against COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children and pregnant women, introducing new restrictions on the approval of additional vaccines.
Moderna responded to the concerns by emphasizing that the safety of its vaccine is rigorously monitored by both the company and regulatory authorities across more than 90 countries. They assert that extensive data from the U.S., Australia, Canada, and Europe have not identified any new safety concerns in children or pregnant women. Meanwhile, Pfizer did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Numerous studies have reinforced the safety and effectiveness of mRNA-based vaccines, such as those from Pfizer and Moderna, with serious side effects being exceedingly rare. Researchers have pointed out a slight increase in the risk of myocarditis, particularly among young men, yet substantial evidence does not support claims that the vaccines lead to major safety risks, including deaths in pediatric populations. Global data generally indicates that the advantages of COVID-19 vaccination surpass associated risks for children.
The claims linking vaccine use to these fatalities appear to derive from data reported to the VAERS, a system that collects unverified accounts of side effects from a variety of sources, including healthcare providers and the public. The CDC notes that only thorough investigations by scientists and public health officials can confirm whether a vaccine contributed to any reported issues.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary recently discussed the agency’s ongoing investigation into potential links between COVID-19 vaccinations and pediatric deaths. While he did not provide specific evidence, he acknowledged the existence of self-reported incidents in the safety database, with further reports expected in the coming weeks. During a Senate hearing, Kennedy supported statements made by a new member of the vaccine advisory panel suggesting that mRNA vaccines pose significant risks to the public.
The current developments reflect the ongoing debates surrounding vaccine safety and efficacy, especially for vulnerable populations, as health officials push for clarity amid rising concerns about the pandemic’s impact on children.
