Earlier this month, Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, appeared before lawmakers who questioned him on statements he made in a closed-door meeting in January. Among the topics Republicans grilled him on was the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, namely in stopping transmission of the virus. Fauci, the face of the U.S. government’s response, admitted it was a “complicated issue” since as time went by, it became clear the “durability of protection against infection, and hence transmission was relatively limited.” Indeed—the American people were forced to get the jab to stop the spread—a point President Biden parroted in December 2021, only to find out it did no such thing.
In the years since the pandemic, others, like Sen. Ron Johnson, have focused on bringing to light the adverse events COVID-19 vaccine recipients have experienced, hosting roundtable events to discuss the path forward.
But one state is now taking aim directly at Pfizer over some of these issues.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is suing the pharmaceutical giant for alleged consumer protection violations regarding the COVID vaccine.
According to the complaint, filed today in Thomas County District Court, Pfizer misled Kansans about the vaccines’ risks, including to pregnant women and for myocarditis. Additionally, Pfizer claimed its vaccine protected against COVID variants, despite data showing otherwise. The pharmaceutical giant also suggested its vaccine prevented COVID transmission, but later admitted it had never studied whether its vaccine stopped transmission.
The complaint also alleges that Pfizer coordinated with social media officials to censor speech critical of COVID-19 vaccines and declined to participate in the federal government’s vaccine development program, Operation Warp Speed, to avoid government oversight. (Kansas AG's Office)
BREAKING: Kansas AG Kris Kobach is suing Pfizer over the COVID vaccine:
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) June 17, 2024
1. Safety related to pregnant women
2. Heart problems or related issues
3. Lying regarding vaccine efficacy
4. Colluding to censor questions
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In a statement to Fox News Digital, Pfizer pushed back on the allegations.
"We are proud to have developed the COVID-19 vaccine in record time in the midst of a global pandemic and saved countless lives. The representations made by Pfizer about its COVID-19 vaccine have been accurate and science-based. The Company believes that the state’s case has no merit and will respond to the suit in due course," Pfizer said.
"Pfizer is deeply committed to the well-being of the patients it serves and has no higher priority than ensuring the safety and effectiveness of its treatments and vaccines. Since its initial authorization by FDA in December 2020, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to more than 1.5 billion people, demonstrated a favorable safety profile in all age groups, and helped protect against severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization and death," the company continued. "Patient safety is our number one priority, which is why we follow diligent safety and monitoring protocols."
Kobach said Kansas is the first state to file but its actions are part of a multi-state effort and more lawsuits will come "depending on Pfizer's reaction."
"The federal government conferred immunity on the vaccine manufacturers for tort suits seeking damages from injuries they received," Kobach noted, "but that did not free any of the vaccine manufacturers from their obligation to not mislead the public or make deceptive statements in marketing."