Pfizer Inc. (NYSE-PFE) announced via press release that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a supplemental Biologics License Application (COMIRNATY 2023-2024 formulation) for individuals 12 years of age and older, granting emergency use authorization for individuals 6 months of age through 11 years of age for the monovalent COVID-19 vaccine adapted to the Omicron XBB virus mutation.1 .5 This season’s vaccine is indicated, as a single dose, for most individuals 5 years of age and older. Children younger than 5 years may be eligible for additional doses of this season’s vaccine if they have not already received the three-dose series of COVID-19 vaccines, according to a company press release.
Pfizer Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla said: “This decision comes at a time when COVID-19 cases are on the rise again. Most people 6 months of age or older in the U.S. are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine this season, even if they have never been vaccinated against COVID-19 before. We expect this season’s vaccine to be available in the coming days, pending a recommendation from public health officials, so people can ask their doctor if it is possible to get the COVID-19 vaccine just as they do for the annual flu vaccine, which will save time and help prevent serious illness when respiratory viruses are at their peak.” The company also announced yesterday that it is restarting production at its North Carolina plant, which was hit by a tornado in July of this year. With this good news, the company also warned that supplies of some drugs may not be fully restored until the middle of next year.
Pfizer is currently focusing on acquiring new companies to strengthen its pipeline of future products, such as the $5.4 billion buyout of Global Blood Therapeutics Inc and the $11.6 billion buyout of migraine drug maker Biohaven. Pfizer Inc (NYSE-PFE) also pays regular attractive quarterly dividends to its shareholders. The dividend yield is currently 5.01% p.a. The actual dividend amount has been approved by the company’s board of directors at $0.41 per share. The Company also has a published last date for purchases of shares using the dividend, known as (Ex Dividend Date) , which is 9 November 2023 and a dividend payment date, known as (Pay Date) , which is 4 December 2023. These facts have attracted private investors and multinational investment corporations to buy shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE-PFE) in particular, for which the average target price for the short- to medium-term investment horizon has been set at USD 39.92 per share.