Why Moderna, Novavax And Other Vaccine Stocks Are Extending Losses Today

COVID-19 vaccine stocks are all retreating sharply for a second day running on Friday.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled against President Joe Biden's quest to make it mandatory for large businesses employing over 100 people to have their staff vaccinated and undergo weekly testing. The mandate is a significant encroachment on the lives and health of a vast number of employers, the court said.

The court, however, permitted the vaccine mandate for health care workers in facilities which receive government funding.

President Biden expressed disappointment at the verdict and said "he was disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law."

Related Link: 5 Beaten Down Biotech Stocks That Could Bounce Big In 2022

Novavax, Inc. NVAX, specifically, has been the hardest hit, given the delay in getting authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. and Europe.

Investors are also worried about how far out the vaccine windfall can support these companies. With the omicron variant proving to be highly infectious, there is a view among the scientific community, herd immunity could soon be reached, bringing the pandemic to an end.

At last check, Moderna, Inc. MRNA shares were down 2.36% at $205.20.

BioNTech SE BNTX was slipping 2.01% at $198.90.

Pfizer, Inc. PFE shares were moving down 0.48% to $55.27.

Novavax was plunging 7.84% to $103.57.

Johnson & Johnson JNJ was receding 0.46% to $167.98.