Vaccine makers fall after US FDA memo links child deaths to COVID shots

Novavax

01/12/2025 10:31

** Shares of vaccine makers Moderna MRNA.O fall 3.4% to $25.10, Novavax NVAX.O slips 1.4% to $6.95 premarket

** US FDA chief medical and scientific officer Vinay Prasad in a memo on Saturday told agency staffers COVID-19 vaccinations probably contributed to the deaths of at least 10 children who died of heart inflammation

** The memo did not disclose the health conditions of the children, or the vaccine manufacturers involved; findings were based on an initial analysis that reviewed 96 deaths between 2021 and 2024

** Prasad calls finding a "profound revelation" and announces plans to tighten vaccine oversight

** Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  has sharply changed government policy on COVID vaccines, limiting access to people 65+ and those with underlying conditions

** Up to last close, MRNA down ~38%, NVAX ~12% YTD

 (Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru)

 ((Sahil.Pandey@thomsonreuters.com))