Pfizer and Moderna Shares Drop Amid Reports Linking Child Deaths to Covid Vaccines

Pfizer and Moderna Shares Decline Following Reports of Child Deaths Linked to Covid Vaccines

Shares of Pfizer and Moderna experienced notable declines on Friday after a Washington Post report indicated that officials from the Trump administration plan to present claims connecting Covid-19 vaccines to the deaths of 25 children. The presentation is scheduled for an upcoming meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a key vaccine advisory panel to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The ACIP plays a critical role in shaping vaccine policy, including recommendations on eligibility and insurance coverage. However, the report noted that the presentation has not been finalized.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cautioned that “FDA and CDC staff routinely analyze VAERS and other safety monitoring data, and those reviews are being shared publicly through the established ACIP process.” The spokesperson emphasized that until information is publicly disclosed, any claims should be regarded as speculation.

Following the report, Pfizer’s stock dropped over 3%, Moderna’s shares fell more than 7%, and Novavax, a developer of protein-based Covid vaccines, declined by over 4%.

Context of the Report and Official Responses

The report coincides with recent shifts in U.S. vaccine policy under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has rescinded Covid vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women and imposed stricter criteria for new Covid vaccine approvals.

Moderna responded by affirming that the safety of its vaccine is “rigorously monitored” by the company, the FDA, and regulators across more than 90 countries. It highlighted that surveillance systems in the U.S., Australia, Canada, and Europe have not identified any new or undisclosed safety concerns in children or pregnant women.

Pfizer did not immediately comment on the report.

Scientific Evidence and Vaccine Safety Monitoring

Extensive research has demonstrated that mRNA Covid vaccines, including those from Pfizer and Moderna, are generally safe and effective. Serious adverse events are extremely rare. Some studies have documented a small increased risk of myocarditis, particularly in young males, but no evidence links these vaccines to broader pediatric deaths.

The Washington Post indicated that the claims rely on data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a federal database that collects unverified reports of side effects from multiple sources. According to the CDC, these reports alone cannot confirm causality; rigorous scientific investigation is required to determine whether a vaccine contributed to any reported adverse event.

Ongoing Investigations and Future Developments

Last week, FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert M. Califf stated the agency is conducting an “intense investigation” into potential vaccine-related deaths in children, citing self-reported data from VAERS but without presenting conclusive evidence. The FDA plans to release a comprehensive report in the coming weeks.

During a recent Senate hearing, HHS Secretary Kennedy expressed support for concerns raised by a newly appointed member of a government vaccine advisory panel regarding the risks of mRNA vaccines.

As the situation develops, public health officials continue to stress the importance of evidence-based evaluation of vaccine safety data to guide policy decisions.