BOSTON — Dozens of scientists and activists are calling on Cambridge-based Moderna to make its coronavirus vaccine free.
They rallied Friday afternoon outside the company, which is now involved in phased trials for its vaccine. Chanting ‘people over profits,’ activists say they are fed up with companies profiting from sickness.
They want a vaccine that’s accessible to everybody at no cost.
“They’ve taken our money, your money, and given it to pharmaceutical companies that don’t care whether we live or die,” one attendee said from a megaphone.
Moderna was given nearly $500 million in federal funding in mid-April to begin its vaccine development process. That news sent its stock prices souring 15 percent.
Just this week, the company filed patent applications for its vaccine and reportedly failed to disclose around $20 million in federal funding that may have led to its vaccine trials.
The company released a statement Friday afternoon telling Boston 25 News, “We have worked with the U.S. government on pricing that ensures our COVID vaccine, once approved, is accessible and affordable.”
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