Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and BioNTech (NASDAQ:BNTX) sponsored a strip in Disney’s (NYSE:DIS) Marvel Comics in an effort to boost demand for COVID-19 booster vaccines in the U.S. The move comes after vaccine uptake dwindled significantly in the first five weeks of the rollout.
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The comic string strategically encourages U.S. residents to get a booster shot to protect themselves from the latest “Ultron” attack. The strip ends with a QR code that redirects readers to more information about the vaccine presented by Pfizer.
During the Labor Day weekend (September 2-4), the U.S. government deployed a booster vaccine to shield from Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. However, the first five weeks of the rollout saw only 11.5 million people taking the shot, as compared with 17 million registered doses in the first five weeks of last year’s booster rollout for the immunocompromised and elderly.
While the White House’s COVID response coordinator, Dr. Ashish Jha, remains positive about the trend, the Biden administration is upping its efforts to boost demand for the shot.
Notably, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a report on Friday stating that thanks to booster intakes in 2021, hospitalizations had reduced by 600,000, and 300,000 fewer deaths were reported among those under the Medicare plan.
How High is PFE Stock Expected to Go?
Wall Street expects Pfizer to go as high as $63, which is almost 49% higher than current price levels. Also, analysts are modestly optimistic about PFE stock, with a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on five Buys and five Holds.