12:50 PM EST, 11/15/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with latest stock price movement in the second paragraph and additional details from RBC Capital Markets note.)

Moderna ( MRNA ) , Novavax ( NVAX ) and Pfizer ( PFE ) shares fell in Friday trading following losses on Thursday after US president-elect Donald Trump nominated longtime anti-vaccination activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Shares of Moderna ( MRNA ) were down 8.7%, Novavax ( NVAX ) was down 3.3% and Pfizer ( PFE ), with a more diverse portfolio of offerings, was down 4.4% in recent trading on Friday.

Kennedy has opposed childhood vaccinations and has spoken out against vaccines, news outlets reported.

The appointment "could have far-reaching and difficult-to-project implications for the biotechnology sector, adding a considerable layer of uncertainty and challenging investability until there is greater clarity on his likelihood of actually gaining the role, his directives, and who else will lead the other key federal healthcare agencies," RBC Capital Markets said in a note emailed Friday.

The firm said that vaccine and psychedelic segments will face the "largest potential impact" with vaccine developers facing risks due to Kennedy's skepticism, while psychedelic companies might benefit from his advocacy.

Price: 36.34, Change: -3.43, Percent Change: -8.62