A Pfizer’s Independent Data Safety Monitoring Board member admitted in court that she was on the pharmaceutical company’s payroll.
Lawyer Aaron Siri, representing Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN), pulled the shocking admission during a cross-examination of Kathryn Edwards, a vaccinologist, MD, and Vanderbilt University professor.
“Since it’s supposed to be independent, it’s critical that the members of that Independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board are in fact independent of the pharmaceutical company whose product is being evaluated – correct?” asked Siri.
“That’s correct,” Edwards said.
ICAN, a Texas nonprofit “committed to informed consent, and the eradication of Man-made disease,” obtained a court order requiring the CDC to hand over vaccine safety data in September.
Edwards also confirmed that she was one of just five Independent Data Safety Monitoring Board members monitoring the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine during the phase 3 trials.
Siri then called out the conflict of interest. He said that just before serving as an independent board member, Edwards was an advisor to Pfizer.
Edwards conceded this is true — and even suggested she’s still receiving money from Pfizer.
“Pfizer pays me to evaluate the safety of the vaccines because I’m an expert. So, I do get paid to do the work that I’ve been doing, but I’ve been doing the work conscientiously and comprehensively,” she said.
“I think what you’re presuming,” she added, “is that because I’ve been an adviser, makes me on their dole or makes me going to say what they want me to say. That is not and has never been a part of my being.”
“I say what I believe based on my expertise,” Edwards said.
In response to a question from Siri, Edwards said the financial incentives don’t sway her judgment.
“Why have an independent Safety Monitoring Board, why not just use Pfizer employees?” Siri asked.
“We are independent from Pfizer in this assessment,” Edwards said.
Last week, a UK MP called for the Covid-19 vaccines to be halted while accusing health authorities of a massive cover-up of adverse effects.
