Florida Sues Pfizer Over COVID-19 Vaccine Marketing

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has sued Pfizer and its chief executive, Albert Bourla, alleging the company deceptively marketed its COVID-19 vaccine to consumers. The complaint, filed in state court in St. Lucie County under Florida’s consumer-protection law, says Pfizer overstated the vaccine’s ability to prevent transmission and failed to disclose potential safety risks. The allegations have not been tested in court. The state alleges Pfizer assured consumers the vaccine posed no material safety risks while relying on claims that widespread vaccination would protect others from infection. The complaint says Pfizer had information about possible adverse events, including myocarditis and pericarditis, and alleges it had reason to know of potential risks to pregnant women and their unborn babies. These assertions are claims by Florida, not judicial findings. Uthmeier has also accused Pfizer of marketing the vaccine as necessary to stop transmission without first testing whether it prevented the virus from spreading. The complaint describes the company’s communications as unfair and deceptive under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.