“Moderna Caught Bribing Kids with Cash and Toys for Vaccine Trials”
Moderna may face suspension or expulsion from the United Kingdom’s pharmaceutical industry trade group following findings that the company violated multiple industry regulations during pediatric COVID-19 vaccine trials, according to reporting from The Telegraph.
The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA), a self-regulatory body established by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), launched an investigation into Moderna’s conduct. The audit follows complaints regarding the company’s use of financial and material incentives—such as cash payments and teddy bears—to encourage participation in clinical trials involving children.
The PMCPA reportedly found that Moderna breached several industry rules, including initially failing to disclose when it became aware that these incentives were being offered. A final ruling is expected to be published in the coming days. If sanctioned, Moderna would become only the tenth company in four decades to be suspended by the PMCPA.
In a statement, the PMCPA described Moderna’s conduct as “unacceptable,” citing harm to the industry’s reputation. The body fined the company £14,000 (approximately $18,788 USD) in October 2024 after a complaint from the Children’s Covid Vaccine Advisory Council alleged “inappropriate financial inducement” in the recruitment process for Moderna’s NextCOVE trial, which tested its mRNA vaccine in children aged 12 and older.
Initially, families were offered £1,505 (around $2,020 USD) for participation. A research ethics committee reviewing the study raised concerns about coercion and required the payment be reduced before trial recruitment could proceed. Although Moderna revised the offer to £185 (about $248 USD), at least one trial site reportedly continued to offer the original higher payment.
Moderna stated it addressed the issue upon notification in January 2024. However, documents indicate that the children’s health advocacy group UsForThem had informed senior executives as early as August 2023, raising questions about the company’s internal response timeline.
In a separate February 2025 ruling, the company was fined nearly £44,000 ($59,049 USD) after promotional materials offered children a teddy bear and a certificate in exchange for participating in the same vaccine trial. UK law prohibits offering financial or material incentives to children and families to secure participation in clinical research.
Moderna was also found to have violated regulations concerning undisclosed advertising. A senior employee co-authored three articles promoting the COVID-19 vaccine, including one with then-“vaccines minister” Nadhim Zahawi, without disclosing his affiliation with Moderna. The same employee also promoted the vaccine on social media without the required disclosure. The PMCPA classified these actions as covert advertising.
In total, the organization found ten new breaches of the ABPI Code of Practice and initiated a comprehensive audit to evaluate Moderna’s corporate culture, governance structure, and internal compliance mechanisms. The Appeal Board will assess the audit results to determine whether further penalties are warranted.
Critics argue that the PMCPA’s ability to impose effective sanctions remains limited. Molly Kingsley, founder of the advocacy group UsForThem, told The Telegraph that the case “laid bare just how little regard [Moderna] has had for the regulatory system.”
Former Member of Parliament Esther McVey also expressed concern, noting the lack of substantial penalties:
“They know they can get away with it, and so they do—time and time again. It’s hardly surprising that public trust in the pharmaceutical industry and its regulators is through the floor.”
As of publication, Moderna has not publicly responded to the findings or to media inquiries regarding the case.
Rewritten. Source article posted here: https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/moderna-trouble-uk-incentives-kids-covid-vaccine-trials/?utm_source=luminate&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=defender&utm_id=20250428
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