Pfizer's chief executive Albert Bourla confirmed on Monday he had tested positive for Covid-19. Photo: AP
Pfizer's chief executive Albert Bourla confirmed on Monday he had tested positive for Covid-19. Photo: AP
Pfizer's chief executive Albert Bourla confirmed on Monday he had tested positive for Covid-19. Photo: AP
Pfizer's chief executive Albert Bourla confirmed on Monday he had tested positive for Covid-19. Photo: AP

Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla tests positive for Covid-19


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The head of Pfizer said on Monday he had tested positive for Covid-19.

Albert Bourla said he was experiencing mild symptoms, and was feeling well while isolating.

He has started a course of Paxlovid, an antiviral drug developed by Pfizer.

The 60-year-old said he had received four doses of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by his pharmaceutical company in partnership with German biotechnology firm BioNTech.

“I would like to inform the public that I have tested positive for Covid-19,” Mr Bourla said in a statement issued by Pfizer.

“I am grateful to have received four doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and I am feeling well while experiencing very mild symptoms.

“I have started a course of Paxlovid, I am isolating in place, as well as following all public health precautions.

“We have come so far in the past two years in our efforts to battle this disease that I am confident that I will have a speedy recovery.

“I am incredibly grateful for the tireless efforts of my Pfizer colleagues who worked to make vaccines and treatments available for me and people around the world.”

Mr Bourla also shared news of his positive test on Twitter.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been widely used across the globe to help limit the spread of the virus.

US President Joe Biden recently tested positive for the virus twice.

Mr Biden, 79, emerged from isolation at the White House on July 27 after testing positive for the first time on July 21.

He tested positive again on July 30 in what Dr O'Connor described as a “rebound” case which occurs in a small percentage of people who take the antiviral drug Paxlovid.

The illness prevented Mr Biden from travelling and attending public events, although he appeared at meetings online.

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination drive - in pictures

  • Mayra Navarrete, 13, receives the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine from registered nurse, Noleen Nobleza at a clinic set up in the parking lot of CalOptima in Orange, California. AP
    Mayra Navarrete, 13, receives the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine from registered nurse, Noleen Nobleza at a clinic set up in the parking lot of CalOptima in Orange, California. AP
  • Hospital workers assisted by parents administer doses of Covid-19 vaccine to children at the Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka. EPA
    Hospital workers assisted by parents administer doses of Covid-19 vaccine to children at the Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka. EPA
  • A boy receives the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. AFP
    A boy receives the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. AFP
  • A health worker inoculates a child with a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against the Covid-19 coronavirus at a children's hospital in Colombo. AFP
    A health worker inoculates a child with a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against the Covid-19 coronavirus at a children's hospital in Colombo. AFP
  • A woman takes a snapshot of his son after he received the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Tegucigalpa. AFP
    A woman takes a snapshot of his son after he received the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Tegucigalpa. AFP
  • A teenager receives the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Tegucigalpa during a vaccination programme for teens aged 12 to 15. AFP
    A teenager receives the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Tegucigalpa during a vaccination programme for teens aged 12 to 15. AFP
  • Doses containing Pfizer vaccines to be administered is seen ahead of the launch of the VaxuMzansi National Vaccine Day Campaign at the Gandhi Phoenix Settlement in Bhambayi township, north of Durban. AFP
    Doses containing Pfizer vaccines to be administered is seen ahead of the launch of the VaxuMzansi National Vaccine Day Campaign at the Gandhi Phoenix Settlement in Bhambayi township, north of Durban. AFP
  • A boy receives the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Tegucigalpa. AFP
    A boy receives the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Tegucigalpa. AFP
  • A health personnel prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against the Covid-19 coronavirus at a children's hospital in Colombo. AFP
    A health personnel prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against the Covid-19 coronavirus at a children's hospital in Colombo. AFP
  • A boy receives the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Tegucigalpa. AFP
    A boy receives the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Tegucigalpa. AFP
  • A girl receives the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Tegucigalpa during a vaccination programme for teens aged 12 to 15.
    A girl receives the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Tegucigalpa during a vaccination programme for teens aged 12 to 15.
  • A boy receives the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Tegucigalpa during a vaccination programme for teens aged 12 to 15. AFP
    A boy receives the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in Tegucigalpa during a vaccination programme for teens aged 12 to 15. AFP
Updated: August 15, 2022, 2:07 PM