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Key Points

Shares of Pfizer and Moderna dropped significantly following reports that US health officials plan to associate Covid vaccines with child deaths. The claims will be presented to the CDC's vaccine advisory panel next week, though the agency notes that VAERS data alone cannot prove causation. Career scientists have expressed alarm, pointing to studies showing Covid vaccines are safe for children while virus risks are being downplayed. The upcoming ACIP meeting will assess these claims and potentially revise vaccine recommendations for younger adults.

Key Points: Pfizer Moderna Stocks Slump on US Child Vaccine Death Report

  • Pfizer stock fell over 3% and Moderna dropped 7% on vaccine safety concerns
  • US officials to present child death claims to CDC advisory panel next week
  • CDC cautions VAERS data alone cannot prove vaccine causal links
  • JAMA Pediatrics study found mRNA vaccines reduced infection risk in children
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Pfizer, Moderna shares slump as US govt plan to link Covid vaccines to child deaths: Report

US health officials plan to link Covid vaccines to child deaths in CDC presentation, causing Pfizer and Moderna shares to drop over 3% and 7% respectively.

"Career scientists expressed alarm at the government's plan as they say studies indicated that Covid vaccines are safe for children - Article Source"

Mumbai, Sep 13

Shares of US pharma giants fell over 3 per cent following reports indicating that the US health administration officials intend to associate coronavirus vaccines with the deaths of 25 children.

Pfizer's stock declined by over 3 per cent, Moderna's fell by more than 7 per cent, and Novavax decreased by more than 4 per cent overnight.

The selloff occurred after reports indicated that the claim will be presented next week to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) vaccine advisory panel, which determines US immunisation policy.

The American health officials plan to cite paediatric deaths flagged in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a federal database of unverified self-reports regarding vaccine side effects, according to a report by The Washington Post.

The CDC has cautioned that VAERS alone cannot prove a causal link between vaccines and deaths.

Career scientists expressed alarm at the government's plan as they say studies indicated that Covid vaccines are safe for children, while the risks associated with the virus are being downplayed.

The CDC data from June revealed that at least 25 children died following Covid-related hospitalisations since July 2023, and none of the vaccine-eligible children were up to date on their shots.

The Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP) will convene next week to assess new claims and revise vaccine recommendations.

Multiple paths are being considered, with one being to restrict younger adults without preexisting conditions from routine vaccination.

In response, Moderna said its vaccine safety is 'rigorously monitored' by regulators in more than 90 countries with no new safety risks identified in children or pregnant women.

A recent study by JAMA Pediatrics, which included over 10 million children aged 5 to 11 who were vaccinated with the mRNA shots from Pfizer and Moderna, claimed that the shots reduced the risk of infection and hospitalisation in vaccinated children, compared to kids who didn’t get vaccinated.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
But the article says CDC cautioned that VAERS alone cannot prove causal link. We should wait for proper investigation rather than jumping to conclusions. Vaccines saved millions of lives during pandemic. 🙏
David E
As someone working in healthcare, I'm concerned about the politicization of vaccine safety. The JAMA Pediatrics study with 10 million children showed positive results. We need evidence-based decisions, not fear-mongering.
S
Sneha F
Meanwhile in India, our vaccination drive was successful with minimal issues. Maybe we should trust our own medical research and vaccines more than foreign ones. Bharat Biotech's Covaxin had good safety record for children.
A
Arjun K
Stock market reactions are always exaggerated. The article clearly states none of the vaccine-eligible children who died were up to date on their shots. This seems like selective reporting to create panic.
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Meera T
As a mother who vaccinated both my children, I'm worried but also confused. On one hand studies show safety, on other hand there are reports like this. Government should provide clearer guidance to parents. 😟

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