Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recently announced that he will step down from his position in December. Some social media users claim another high-profile healthcare figure is also stepping down: Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla.
"Pfizer CEO Albert Burla (sic) is stepping down and now says the mRNA technology was not sufficiently proven when launched," reads the caption of a Dec. 10 Facebook clip (direct link, archived link). "He says they convinced him, but he wasn't sure. He admits it's not safe. Also worth noting he is NOT jabbed."
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An Instagram post with the same claim generated over 1,000 likes before it was recently deleted. Many tweets with the same claim have generated hundreds of likes.
But the claim is wrong on every front.
A Pfizer spokesperson told USA TODAY Bourla remains in his position at Pfizer and has not announced any plans to resign. There is also no evidence that he said mRNA vaccines are dangerous. And Bourla has been vaccinated against COVID-19.
A video clip included in the post shows Bourla discussing why Pfizer used mRNA technology in its COVID-19 vaccine. He does not say the technology is unsafe.
USA TODAY reached out to the social media users who shared the claim for comment
Bourla continues to...
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