A post shared on Facebook purports Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has stepped down, saying the company’s mRNA vaccines are not safe.

Verdict: False

Bourla has not stepped down or made any such comments.

Fact Check:

Pfizer Inc. announced they are expected to see a $10 Billion to $15 Billion annual revenue from mRNA vaccines by the year 2023, Reuters reported. Pfizer is working with China to increase the supply of Paxlovid, their COVID-19 antiviral drug, Reuters reported.

The Instagram post purports that Burla has lost faith in the company. The image does not provide when or where this was said. “Pfizer CEO Albert Burla is stepping down and now says the mRNA technology was not sufficiently proven when launched . . . ” the post image reads. “He says they convinced him, but he wasn’t sure. He admits it’s not safe.”

This claim is baseless. There are no credible news reports suggesting has stepped down or made any such comments of the efficacy and safety of the mRNA technology. The Pfizer website still cites him as Chief Executive Officer as does Burla’s  LinkedIn account. Burla’s alleged resignation has not been mentioned on any of Pfizer’s social media accounts.

Some variations of the post include a video of an interview with Bourla in March 2022 with The Washington Post about the vaccine rollout. A transcript of the interview does not mention the CEO stepping down or admitting the vaccine was either ineffective or harmful.

“Albert Bourla continues to serve as the chairman and CEO of Pfizer,” a spokesperson for Pfizer told Check Your Fact via email. “Any claims to the contrary are false. The COVID-19 vaccine continues to be safe and effective for protection against severe disease and hospitalization.” (RELATED: Did CNN Report The Russians Gave Brittney Griner A DNA Test To Determine Her Gender?)

This is not the first time a post has been promoted as true on social media. Check Your Fact recently debunked a claim that the Military criticized Donald Trump over his comments about the Constitution.