Vaccine Stocks Fall on Child Safety Probe Reports
Moderna and Pfizer shares decline following reports that Trump officials will present data on potential vaccine side effects in children.
Shares of major COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers tumbled in recent trading, driven by reports that health officials from the Trump administration are planning to investigate a potential link between the vaccines and adverse outcomes in children. Moderna (MRNA) saw its stock price plunge by as much as 7.4%, while Pfizer (PFE) shares fell 4% on the news.
The sell-off was triggered by reports that officials intend to present data at an upcoming CDC advisory committee meeting, allegedly connecting COVID-19 shots to serious adverse events. According to these reports, the information is primarily based on unverified submissions to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a public database.
Health agencies, including the CDC, caution that and do not on their own prove that a vaccine caused an adverse event. Despite this, the prospect of a high-profile inquiry has created significant uncertainty for investors in the sector.
In response to the claims, both Moderna and Pfizer have stated that their extensive safety monitoring systems have not revealed any new or undisclosed safety issues in children. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed it is conducting an into the VAERS reports concerning child deaths. Investors are now closely watching for the outcome of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting, where the data is expected to be formally presented and discussed.