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Kennedy has been a persistent critic of vaccines in the US, which has led to open disputes over vaccine policy with key public health staff, adding to fears about vaccine safety in the public. McNamee said it would also delay the spinoff of the Seqirus vaccine business as US influenza vaccination rates have declined at a greater rate than expected rate since the spinoff was announced in August. “To maximise shareholder value, given the heightened volatility in the current US influenza vaccine market, we have concluded that advancing with the previously proposed demerger timing will not fully capture Seqirus’ value potential,” he told investors at the annual meeting in Melbourne Tuesday morning. “We’re no longer targeting completion of the demerger in financial year 26; timing will be revisited when we’re confident that market conditions would support the maximisation of shareholder value for you.” CSL shares have dropped significantly this year, with investors underwhelmed with its general performance, spooked by anti-vaxxer sentiment in its large US market, and Trump’s threats to put tariffs of up to 250 per cent on pharmaceuticals.
