Albert Bourla is concerned about the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as US Health Minister – and warns of the consequences for vaccine readiness. Despite a more moderate rhetoric from the long-time vaccine critic, the Pfizer CEO considers his statements problematic.
The confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the new US Secretary of Health is imminent. Despite partisan tensions, the Senate Finance Committee voted along party lines for his appointment, making a majority in the Senate likely. Kennedy, a well-known vaccine skeptic, was more reserved during the hearings than in the past, but did not fully acknowledge the clear scientific finding that there is no link between vaccinations and autism.
I would have wished that he clearly stated that the data is clear – as 99.9 percent of scientists do," said Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla in an interview with the Financial Times. "But what he is saying now is night and day compared to his previous statements. He didn't take the final step – that disappointed me.
Nevertheless, Bourla sees no immediate cause for panic. Kennedy has repeatedly emphasized in the hearings that he will implement President Trump's health policy. According to Bourla, Trump himself signaled that he does not support measures that pose a renewed health risk to the population. "The last thing the President wants is a health crisis," said Bourla.
Nevertheless, risks remain. Even a slight decrease in the immunity rate could lead to new outbreaks of diseases such as measles or polio. Bourla warns: "If the US Department of Health starts to sow doubts about vaccines, we could lose another five percent of the willingness to vaccinate. But precisely these five to eight percent less are already enough for an epidemic.
While Bourla met with Trump multiple times in recent months and held Pfizer management meetings at Mar-a-Lago, uncertainty about the future health strategy of the US government persists. At the same time, Pfizer struggles with declining Covid vaccine sales and invests massively in new growth drivers. The company reported total revenue of $63.6 billion for 2024 and maintains its forecast for 2025, which envisions a revenue level between $61 and $64 billion. A central component is the $43 billion acquisition of biotech company Seagen to strengthen the cancer drug portfolio.
