At the 43rd annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla delivered pointed remarks regarding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s contentious vaccine positions. Kennedy, who is the President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for the Department of Health and Human Services, faces a Senate confirmation process, but Bourla’s comments suggest that his approach to vaccines could face significant scrutiny.

When asked about potential changes in the vaccine landscape under Kennedy’s guidance, Bourla did not hold back. He emphasized a stark contrast between Kennedy’s views and those held by the broader medical and scientific communities. “Clearly, the things that he has said about vaccines in the past are in complete contradiction with what we believe and what the medical community believes,” Bourla stated, highlighting vaccines as one of the most effective public health interventions available.

Bourla made it clear that should Kennedy pursue policies reflecting his past rhetoric about vaccines, he would encounter resistance not only from Pfizer but from the entire healthcare community, including insurance companies and employers who recognize the cost-effectiveness of vaccination programs. He warned that the decline in childhood vaccination rates in the United States could result in the resurgence of preventable diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a noticeable drop in vaccination rates among kindergarteners since 2020, with rates falling from nearly 95% to approximately 93% for critical vaccines such as MMR, DTaP, and polio.

The implications of this decline are troubling. Bourla cautioned that if vaccination rates continue to fall, diseases like chickenpox and polio could re-emerge, putting public health at risk and presenting significant challenges for Kennedy and his administration.

Yet Bourla also acknowledged the opportunity for collaboration, expressing a willingness to work with the Trump administration on shared objectives, particularly in cancer research and treatment. He recounted how during discussions, Kennedy has expressed concerns about cancer, sparking potential partnerships to advance medical developments in that field.

Other pharmaceutical leaders shared their perspectives on the incoming administration’s approach to vaccines. Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, indicated that while it’s early to predict specific changes, he trusts that public health leaders in agencies such as the FDA and CDC prioritize the health of Americans. He reiterated the importance of vaccines, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly, affirming that changes in recommendations could lead to significant healthcare costs if not carefully managed.

Emma Walmsley, CEO of GlaxoSmithKline, highlighted the value of vaccines, noting that investing in vaccine programs yields the highest returns on healthcare budgets. Her comments underlined the importance of maintaining support for vaccination as a fundamental public health strategy.