Pfizer and Moderna Stocks Drop Amid Report Linking Covid Shots to Child Deaths

(Global Economic News) – Shares of Pfizer and Moderna tumbled on Friday following a report that officials in the Trump administration plan to link Covid-19 vaccines to the deaths of 25 children.

According to The Washington Post, the claim may be included in an upcoming presentation to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) – a key panel that advises the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine access and policy. However, the Post emphasized that the presentation is not yet finalized.

Reactions from Regulators and Companies

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said FDA and CDC staff continue to review safety data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and other monitoring tools. “All findings will be made public through the established ACIP process. Until then, any speculation should be treated cautiously,” the spokesperson noted.

Following the news, Pfizer’s stock fell more than 3%, Moderna dropped over 7%, and Novavax, which makes a protein-based Covid shot, slid more than 4%.

In a statement, Moderna stressed that the safety of its vaccine is “rigorously monitored” by regulators in more than 90 countries, adding that no new safety concerns have been identified for children or pregnant women. Pfizer did not issue a comment.

Vaccine Policy Shift Under Trump Administration

The report comes as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. moves to reshape U.S. vaccine policy. He has withdrawn recommendations for Covid shots in healthy children and pregnant women while tightening the approval process for new vaccines.

Extensive studies have shown that mRNA-based vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are both safe and effective, with severe side effects occurring in extremely rare cases. While a higher but rare risk of myocarditis has been noted among young men, no verified evidence supports claims that the vaccines cause pediatric deaths.

VAERS Data and FDA Investigation

The claim appears to stem from entries in the VAERS system, which collects unverified reports from patients, physicians, and pharmacists about possible side effects. As the CDC highlights, only scientists and public health officials can determine through thorough investigation whether a vaccine caused or contributed to an adverse event.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary recently told CNN that the agency is conducting an “intense investigation” into reports of child deaths allegedly linked to Covid vaccines. While he did not provide specific data, he indicated that official findings are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Investor Takeaways

Market Volatility: Negative headlines surrounding vaccine safety may weigh on pharmaceutical stocks in the short term.

Policy Risks: Potential regulatory changes under the Trump administration could reduce Covid vaccine uptake, especially among children and pregnant women.

Long-Term Outlook: If federal agencies confirm no causal link between vaccines and child deaths, leading mRNA developers like Pfizer and Moderna could regain investor confidence given the enduring value of their technology platforms.