Martin Foley says Pfizer looking out for own interests with fourth-dose claim

Victoria’s health minister says Pfizer is looking after its own interests with the requirement of a fourth-dose Covid jab.

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley says Pfizer is “discussing things from the perspective of Pfizer” after the big pharma’s claim everyone would need a fourth dose of the Covid jab.

Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla claimed a fourth dose of the vaccine would be “necessary for most people”.

But Foley has rubbished the suggestion, stating any decisions about fourth doses in Australia would be made with advice from ATAGI.

“Pfizer is discussing things from the perspective of Pfizer,” Foley said.

Victorian’s health minister Martin Foley says Pfizer is looking out for Pfizer with its fourth-dose Covid vaccine claim. Picture: AFP

“ATAGI are currently considering the issue of who should be required to take the fourth dose.”

Mr Foley said immunocompromised people were already recommended to receive a fourth jab and that health officials would also review advice for older Victorians.

“The initial consideration that we’ve had reported to us from ATAGI is that it will be those people in the more senior age brackets,” he said.

“But ATAGI is still working through that.”

One of Australia’s top doctors called out Pfizer on Tuesday over their fourth-dose Covid vaccine announcement.

Dr Nick Coatsworth says Pfizer needs to stop talking about vaccine doses.

Australia’s former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth says Pfizer needs to stop talking about more doses of the Covid vaccine.

“Pfizer would do the world a favour if they stopped talking about fourth (Covid) doses,” Dr Coatsworth told news.com.au.

“It’s not their role, it probably borders on irresponsible to be talking about fourth doses when there’s a significant number of people around world who haven’t had the opportunity to get vaccinated.

“It’s also purely designed to generate revenue from wealthy countries worried about fourth doses.”

Hey @pfizer instead of doing press releases about how we all need a 4th dose of COVID 19 vaccine, how about you really surprise us and provide pneumococcal vaccine at cost to all low income nations. Be like Astra. #covid19aus

— Dr. Nick Coatsworth 🇺🇦 (@nick_coatsworth) March 14, 2022

“The CEO of Pfizer, Albert Bourla, has come out on two occasions talking about how we need a fourth dose of the Covid vaccine, the CEO of Moderna has done it, as well.

“It’s a problem because you don’t listen to the person who’s responsible for shareholder profits if they tell you to take a drug.”

Pfizer is making enormous profits, earning nearly US$37bn (AUD$51bn) in sales from its Covid-19 vaccine last year and projecting $75bn in sales during 2022.

“Given the huge profit that Pfizer in particular has made from Covid-19 you’d think if they were good corporate citizens they may choose to self subsidise some of their other vaccines for low to middle incomes countries, to provide them at a cost that can actually be afforded. “They don’t do that and haven’t done it for 20 years … it would be a simple and effective action, it would go part of the way to making up for two decades of not doing it, which is around millions of deaths.”