Pfizer CEO says HHS claims of ‘concealed safety concerns’ on mRNA vaccines are ‘completely inaccurate’

Pfizer CEO: HHS claims of ‘concealed safety concerns’ on mRNA vaccines are ‘completely inaccurate’ | CNN Pharmaceutical rivals don’t often come to each other’s defense. But after the US Department of Health and Human Services terminated a contract with drugmaker Moderna to develop an mRNA bird flu vaccine, claiming that “mRNA technology remains under-tested,” Pfizer’s chief executive is speaking up. Meg Tirrell CNN

Pharmaceutical rivals don’t often come to each other’s defense. But after the US Department of Health and Human Services terminated a contract with drugmaker Moderna to develop an mRNA bird flu vaccine, claiming that “mRNA technology remains under-tested,” Pfizer’s chief executive is speaking up.

“MRNA probably is the most utilized vaccine in the history of humanity,” Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla said Friday, noting that there have been about 1.5 billion mRNA vaccine doses against Covid-19 administered worldwide from his company alone – not counting those from Moderna. “So it is extremely well-tested.”

HHS said Wednesday that it was canceling at least $590 million in federal funding the previous administration had granted for Moderna to use its mRNA technology to develop pandemic influenza vaccines, including those against H5 avian flu viruses. The H5N1 strain has infected at least 70 people and killed one in the US since last year.

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