Kansas attorney general sues Pfizer over COVID vaccine, company responds

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TOPEKA (KSNT) - Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is suing the healthcare and pharmaceutical company Pfizer for alleged "misleading claims" the company made regarding the vaccine for COVID-19.

The attorney general made the announcement in a press release Monday, June 17 following a press conference in Topeka. The complaint is being filed in the Thomas County District Court.

Kobach's argument alleges Pfizer misled Kansans about risks associated with vaccines, including to pregnant women and for myocarditis. The complaint also alleges Pfizer declined to participate in the federal government's vaccine development program known as "Operation Warp Speed" to avoid government oversight.

“Pfizer made multiple misleading statements to deceive the public about its vaccine at a time when Americans needed the truth,” Kobach said.

Cases of myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccinations are considered rare by the CDC. Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle caused by the body's immune system in response to an infection or some other trigger. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath and feelings of a pounding or fast-beating heart.

Pfizer has also spent time working with U.S. officials and the CDC for Operation Warp Speed, according to an article published by the company on Nov. 16, 2020.

27 News reached out to Pfizer for comment regarding this lawsuit. The company provided the following statement:

“We are proud to have developed the COVID-19 vaccine in record time in the midst of a global pandemic and saved countless lives. The representations made by Pfizer about its COVID-19 vaccine have been accurate and science-based. The Company believes that the state’s case has no merit and will respond to the suit in due course.

Pfizer is deeply committed to the well-being of the patients it serves and has no higher priority than ensuring the safety and effectiveness of its treatments and vaccines. Since its initial authorization by FDA in December 2020, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to more than 1.5 billion people, demonstrated a favorable safety profile in all age groups, and helped protect against severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization and death.

Patient safety is our number one priority, which is why we follow diligent safety and monitoring protocols.”

Pfizer reaction to Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach's lawsuit

You can read the full 179-page complaint by clicking here.

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