Vaccine stocks decline after Trump names RFK Jr. as health secretary

Vaccine manufacturers experienced stock declines on Friday after President-elect Donald Trump announced Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his choice for Health and Human Services Secretary. Pfizer's stock fell 4.3%, Moderna's dropped 3.1%, and Novavax decreased by 2.8%. Kennedy Jr., known for his skepticism about vaccines, previously ran as an independent candidate in the 2024 election before endorsing Trump. His appointment has raised concerns among medical professionals about his views on public health and vaccines. The overall stock market also struggled, with major indexes down. The S&P 500 fell 0.7%, the Dow Jones dropped 141 points, and the Nasdaq composite decreased by 1.2%.