Kentucky congressman says Bourla “did not get a pardon” and should face charges over the company’s “100% effective” COVID vaccine claim
Rep. Thomas Massie is calling for the prosecution of Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla over a 2021 public claim about the company’s COVID-19 vaccine.
Massie wrote on X that Bourla “did not get a pardon” and should face prosecution. The Kentucky Republican accused Pfizer of making “blatantly false claims about the efficacy” of its product.
“Albert Bourla, veterinarian and CEO of Pfizer, did not get a pardon. Prosecute him,” Massie wrote.
Massie targeted Bourla’s April 1, 2021 post, which promoted a trial analysis finding the vaccine “100% effective” at preventing COVID-19 cases in South Africa.
Pfizer’s release said that estimate came from nine cases among roughly 800 South African trial participants. All nine occurred in the placebo group. The company listed a 95% confidence interval of 53.5% to 100%.
Pfizer also stated that the product had emergency authorization but was not yet FDA-approved or licensed. The FDA granted full approval for Comirnaty on Aug. 23, 2021.
Massie’s post identifies no criminal statute, indictment, or public Justice Department investigation. “Crimes against humanity” is a potential theory raised by critics, not a charge announced against Bourla. Whether Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche will act remains unanswered.
