The Attorney General of Florida, James Uthmeier, filed a civil lawsuit against Pfizer Inc. and its President and CEO, Albert Bourla, in the 19th Judicial Circuit Court, in St. Lucie County, accusing the pharmaceutical company of having misleadingly marketed its COVID-19 vaccine.
The legal action is based on the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA) and claims that Pfizer concealed known risks—including myocarditis, pericarditis, and complications in pregnant women—while publicly asserting that the product was safe.
The complaint also accuses the company of implying that the vaccine stopped the transmission of the virus without having proven it, and of labeling those who dared to question its public statements as "criminals."
The document presented to the court states plainly: "Pfizer's record profits were built on deception and falsehoods. While Pfizer insisted to consumers that the vaccine posed no material safety risks — and while actively seeking to discredit those who said otherwise — Pfizer was aware of data reflecting serious safety risks that it concealed from the public."
The state is seeking civil penalties of more than $50,000 for each violation, the return of profits obtained through the alleged deception, and a court order to prevent future violations.
Pfizer rejected the accusations in a written statement: "The representations made by Pfizer regarding its COVID-19 vaccine have been accurate and science-based, and the company stands behind the safety and efficacy of its vaccine. Pfizer believes that the state's allegations are baseless and will respond to the lawsuit in due time."
The pharmaceutical company added that its vaccine, initially authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2020, has been administered to billions of people and has shown "a favorable safety profile across all age groups."
For those who were vaccinated with Pfizer in Florida—the vast majority of the Cuban audience residing in Miami—it is important to clarify that this is a civil lawsuit, not a criminal process. It does not involve criminal charges against anyone, it does not invalidate vaccination records, and it does not alter any current medical recommendations. If the state were to win, the consequences would fall on the company, not on the vaccinated individuals.
The lawsuit is part of Governor Ron DeSantis' offensive against vaccination policies.
Uthmeier, appointed attorney general by DeSantis in February 2025 after serving as his chief of staff, is one of his closest allies.
DeSantis has pushed in recent months for the removal of several vaccines from school requirements, although the Florida House of Representatives rejected one of his proposals in April to expand exemptions based on "conscience."
This is not the first time a state has taken Pfizer to court for this reason. Kansas sued the pharmaceutical company in June 2024 with nearly identical allegations under its own consumer protection law.
It is also worth noting that in January 2025, a state grand jury in Florida—convened by DeSantis himself in 2022 to investigate alleged irregularities in the vaccines—concluded that there was no evidence that manufacturers had violated state or federal laws, although it did criticize the overly close relationship between the FDA and companies like Pfizer and Moderna.
The case is in its preliminary stages, and Pfizer has announced that it will submit its formal response to the court.
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