HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Dismisses Four Childhood Vaccine Advisors, Impacting Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 20 2026
0mins
Should l Buy AZN?
Source: seekingalpha
- Advisor Dismissals: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismissed four childhood vaccine advisors before their terms expired, indicating a strong stance on vaccine policy that may affect legal protections for vaccine manufacturers.
- Committee Role: The Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines recommends which vaccines and conditions should be included in the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, and the dismissal of advisors could impact the recommendations and implementation of this program.
- Historical Comparison: This dismissal parallels Kennedy's decision in 2025 to fire all members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, reflecting his skepticism towards vaccines and significant adjustments to vaccine policy.
- Vaccination Changes: Under Kennedy's leadership, the CDC has made notable changes to the U.S. immunization schedule, including recommending fewer vaccines for most American children, which could affect overall child health and vaccination rates.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy AZN?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on AZN
Wall Street analysts forecast AZN stock price to rise
14 Analyst Rating
13 Buy
0 Hold
1 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 209.480
Low
157.61
Averages
213.64
High
252.18
Current: 209.480
Low
157.61
Averages
213.64
High
252.18
About AZN
AstraZeneca PLC is a United Kingdom-based science-led biopharmaceutical company. The Company focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines. The Company operates across therapy areas, including Oncology; Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM); Respiratory and Immunology (R&I); Vaccines and Immune Therapies (V&I), and Rare Disease. In the Oncology area, its key products include Tagrisso, Imfinzi, Calquence, Lynparza, and Enhertu. The key products of CVRM area include Farxiga/Forxiga, Brilinta/Brilique, Crestor, and Lokelma. In the R&I area, the key products are Symbicort, Fasenra, Breztri/Trixeo, and Tezspire. In the V&I Therapies area, the products are Beyfortus and FluMist. The products in the Rare Disease area are Ultomiris, Soliris, Strensiq, and Koselugo. It has about 191 projects in its development pipeline, including 19 new molecular entities (NMEs) in the late-stage pipeline. The Company distributes its products in over 125 countries.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb Collaborate with Evinova for AI Drug Development
- Collaborative Drug Development: AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb are partnering with Switzerland-based Evinova to leverage its AI-native platform for drug development, aiming to enhance research efficiency and reduce costs.
- Cost Savings in R&D: Evinova claims its platform can deliver at least 5%-7% savings per study, which will significantly improve the economic viability of drug development and enhance the competitive edge of the partners in the market.
- Intelligent Clinical Design: Evinova's AI digitizer capability converts clinical study designs, protocols, and documents into machine-readable formats, improving data processing efficiency and accelerating the drug development timeline.
- Multi-Partner Collaboration Model: The platform's flexible architecture enables a multi-model partner approach, providing access to advanced AI models and deep enterprise expertise, fostering smarter operational insights and driving innovation in the industry.
See More
EVINOVA FORGES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH ASTELLAS, ASTRAZENECA, AND BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB TO ENHANCE ITS AI-DRIVEN PLATFORM FOR FASTER GLOBAL CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
Strategic Collaborations: EvinoVA has announced strategic collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies including Astellas, AstraZeneca, and Bristol Myers Squibb.
Focus on Clinical Development: These partnerships aim to advance EvinoVA's AI-native platform to accelerate global clinical development efforts.
See More
FDA Pushes for Prescription Drugs to Become Over-the-Counter
- Policy Advocacy: FDA Commissioner Marty Makary stated in Washington that the agency plans to push for more prescription drugs to become over-the-counter (OTC) this year, aiming to improve drug accessibility and reduce healthcare costs, which could allow patients to obtain basic safe medications without a doctor's visit.
- Regulatory Streamlining: Legislation passed by Congress in November simplifies the regulatory process for transitioning prescription drugs to OTC status, including full, conditional, and partial switch pathways, which is expected to accelerate drug availability and enhance patient convenience in medication access.
- Increased Transparency: Makary emphasized that OTC sales would bypass insurers and pharmacy benefit managers, potentially lowering drug prices and increasing transparency, with cash prices for OTC medications possibly being lower than patients' copays for prescription drugs, thereby alleviating financial burdens on patients.
- Industry Pushback: The pharmaceutical industry has raised concerns about this policy, arguing that OTC drugs may not be covered by insurance, leading to higher costs for patients, and that the FDA lacks authority over drug pricing, necessitating thorough consultations with manufacturers before any transitions.
See More
FDA Pushes for Prescription Drugs to Become Over-the-Counter
- Regulatory Reform Advocacy: FDA Commissioner Marty Makary asserts that all drugs should be over-the-counter unless deemed unsafe or addictive, aiming to enhance drug accessibility and reduce healthcare costs through streamlined regulatory processes.
- Drug Transition Process: The FDA is updating OTC monographs to transition basic, safe prescription drugs like nausea medications and vaginal estrogen to OTC status, allowing patients to obtain necessary medications without a doctor's visit.
- Industry Pushback: The pharmaceutical industry has expressed skepticism regarding the FDA's plans, arguing that many OTC drugs are not covered by insurance, potentially leading to higher costs for patients and decreased access to treatments.
- Transparency and Cost Control: Makary emphasizes that OTC sales will enhance price transparency, bypassing insurers and pharmacy benefit managers, thereby making drug prices more competitive and promoting patient adherence to medication regimens.
See More
Analysts Reaffirm Bullish Stance on Apple Stock
- Bullish Outlook for Apple: Joshua Brown, CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, remains bullish on Apple, with Wedbush analyst Dan Ives reiterating an Outperform rating and maintaining a $350 price target, reflecting strong market confidence in Apple's growth potential.
- AstraZeneca's Solid Earnings: AstraZeneca reported Q4 2025 sales of $15.5 billion, a 4% year-over-year increase, nearly matching the consensus of $15.49 billion, with adjusted earnings of $2.12 per share exceeding expectations of $2.09, showcasing its competitive strength in the pharmaceutical sector.
- VICI Properties Rating Downgrade: Scotiabank analyst Nicholas Yulico downgraded VICI Properties from Sector Outperform to Sector Perform and lowered the price target from $36 to $30, indicating a cautious outlook on the company's future performance.
- Ulta Beauty's Middle East Expansion: Ulta Beauty announced its first store opening in the UAE at Mall of the Emirates on January 29, reflecting its strategic expansion into international markets, which could enhance brand visibility and market share.
See More
Goldman Sachs Updates 10-Year Global Equity Forecast
- Optimistic European Outlook: Goldman Sachs projects a 7.5% annual return for European stocks over the next decade, driven by strong earnings growth and a dividend yield of about 3%, which is likely to attract more investor interest in the European market.
- Emerging Market Potential: Emerging market stocks are expected to return 12.8% annually, primarily supported by robust earnings growth in China and India, highlighting the significance and appeal of these markets in the global economy.
- Vanguard ETF Advantages: The Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF boasts an expense ratio of just 0.06%, significantly lower than the average 0.81% for similar funds, providing investors with a cost-effective avenue for European stock exposure, thereby enhancing its market competitiveness.
- US vs. European Stocks: While US stocks outperformed European stocks over the past decade, Goldman believes that due to high valuations in the US market, European stocks may surpass them in the next decade, prompting investors to reassess their asset allocation strategies.
See More
AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb Collaborate with Evinova for AI Drug Development
- Collaborative Drug Development: AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb are partnering with Switzerland-based Evinova to leverage its AI-native platform for drug development, aiming to enhance research efficiency and reduce costs.
- Cost Savings in R&D: Evinova claims its platform can deliver at least 5%-7% savings per study, which will significantly improve the economic viability of drug development and enhance the competitive edge of the partners in the market.
- Intelligent Clinical Design: Evinova's AI digitizer capability converts clinical study designs, protocols, and documents into machine-readable formats, improving data processing efficiency and accelerating the drug development timeline.
- Multi-Partner Collaboration Model: The platform's flexible architecture enables a multi-model partner approach, providing access to advanced AI models and deep enterprise expertise, fostering smarter operational insights and driving innovation in the industry.
See More
EVINOVA FORGES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH ASTELLAS, ASTRAZENECA, AND BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB TO ENHANCE ITS AI-DRIVEN PLATFORM FOR FASTER GLOBAL CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
Strategic Collaborations: EvinoVA has announced strategic collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies including Astellas, AstraZeneca, and Bristol Myers Squibb.
Focus on Clinical Development: These partnerships aim to advance EvinoVA's AI-native platform to accelerate global clinical development efforts.
See More
FDA Pushes for Prescription Drugs to Become Over-the-Counter
- Policy Advocacy: FDA Commissioner Marty Makary stated in Washington that the agency plans to push for more prescription drugs to become over-the-counter (OTC) this year, aiming to improve drug accessibility and reduce healthcare costs, which could allow patients to obtain basic safe medications without a doctor's visit.
- Regulatory Streamlining: Legislation passed by Congress in November simplifies the regulatory process for transitioning prescription drugs to OTC status, including full, conditional, and partial switch pathways, which is expected to accelerate drug availability and enhance patient convenience in medication access.
- Increased Transparency: Makary emphasized that OTC sales would bypass insurers and pharmacy benefit managers, potentially lowering drug prices and increasing transparency, with cash prices for OTC medications possibly being lower than patients' copays for prescription drugs, thereby alleviating financial burdens on patients.
- Industry Pushback: The pharmaceutical industry has raised concerns about this policy, arguing that OTC drugs may not be covered by insurance, leading to higher costs for patients, and that the FDA lacks authority over drug pricing, necessitating thorough consultations with manufacturers before any transitions.
See More
FDA Pushes for Prescription Drugs to Become Over-the-Counter
- Regulatory Reform Advocacy: FDA Commissioner Marty Makary asserts that all drugs should be over-the-counter unless deemed unsafe or addictive, aiming to enhance drug accessibility and reduce healthcare costs through streamlined regulatory processes.
- Drug Transition Process: The FDA is updating OTC monographs to transition basic, safe prescription drugs like nausea medications and vaginal estrogen to OTC status, allowing patients to obtain necessary medications without a doctor's visit.
- Industry Pushback: The pharmaceutical industry has expressed skepticism regarding the FDA's plans, arguing that many OTC drugs are not covered by insurance, potentially leading to higher costs for patients and decreased access to treatments.
- Transparency and Cost Control: Makary emphasizes that OTC sales will enhance price transparency, bypassing insurers and pharmacy benefit managers, thereby making drug prices more competitive and promoting patient adherence to medication regimens.
See More
Analysts Reaffirm Bullish Stance on Apple Stock
- Bullish Outlook for Apple: Joshua Brown, CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, remains bullish on Apple, with Wedbush analyst Dan Ives reiterating an Outperform rating and maintaining a $350 price target, reflecting strong market confidence in Apple's growth potential.
- AstraZeneca's Solid Earnings: AstraZeneca reported Q4 2025 sales of $15.5 billion, a 4% year-over-year increase, nearly matching the consensus of $15.49 billion, with adjusted earnings of $2.12 per share exceeding expectations of $2.09, showcasing its competitive strength in the pharmaceutical sector.
- VICI Properties Rating Downgrade: Scotiabank analyst Nicholas Yulico downgraded VICI Properties from Sector Outperform to Sector Perform and lowered the price target from $36 to $30, indicating a cautious outlook on the company's future performance.
- Ulta Beauty's Middle East Expansion: Ulta Beauty announced its first store opening in the UAE at Mall of the Emirates on January 29, reflecting its strategic expansion into international markets, which could enhance brand visibility and market share.
See More
Goldman Sachs Updates 10-Year Global Equity Forecast
- Optimistic European Outlook: Goldman Sachs projects a 7.5% annual return for European stocks over the next decade, driven by strong earnings growth and a dividend yield of about 3%, which is likely to attract more investor interest in the European market.
- Emerging Market Potential: Emerging market stocks are expected to return 12.8% annually, primarily supported by robust earnings growth in China and India, highlighting the significance and appeal of these markets in the global economy.
- Vanguard ETF Advantages: The Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF boasts an expense ratio of just 0.06%, significantly lower than the average 0.81% for similar funds, providing investors with a cost-effective avenue for European stock exposure, thereby enhancing its market competitiveness.
- US vs. European Stocks: While US stocks outperformed European stocks over the past decade, Goldman believes that due to high valuations in the US market, European stocks may surpass them in the next decade, prompting investors to reassess their asset allocation strategies.
See More
