During a World Economic Forum event in Davos, Switzerland, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla offered candid insights into the current healthcare climate in the United States. Bourla identified the stance of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a primary obstacle to advancing domestic vaccine discussions.
While the relationship between the Pfizer executive and Kennedy was initially characterized as positive in late 2024, the administrative actions over the past year have shifted the pharmaceutical industry’s perspective. Bourla noted that current deliberations regarding immunizations in the U.S. appear to deviate from traditional scientific frameworks.
The past year has seen significant shifts in the U.S. vaccine regulatory infrastructure under Kennedy’s leadership:
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Personnel Overhaul: All 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) were replaced with new appointees, a move that drew criticism from major medical organizations.
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Policy Changes: The CDC revised the long-standing childhood immunization schedule, removing recommendations for several vaccines, including influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and COVID-19.
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Institutional Departures: Several federal health officials resigned, notably Dr. Peter Marks of the FDA, who cited pressure regarding the management of vaccine safety databases.
Financial data from the third quarter of 2025 indicates that while global vaccine sales for major developers like Pfizer, GSK, and Sanofi increased, they experienced a downturn specifically within the U.S. market. Specialized firms such as Moderna and CSL have also contended with heightened volatility in the American sector.
Beyond immunization policy, Bourla expressed concern that reducing funding for U.S. universities could hinder the nation’s medical competitiveness, particularly as China’s pharmaceutical innovation sector continues its rapid expansion
Source: https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/pfizer-ceo-lays-blame-us-vaccine-woes-anti-science-rfk-jr-wsj