Stock Market Update

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (+0.6%), Nasdaq Composite (+0.6%), and DJIA (+0.5%) continue to hover at session highs. 

The health care sector (+0.4%) is the best performing of the defensive sectors today, as the utilities sector is flat and the consumer staples sector (-0.3%) lags. 

The New York Times reported that Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to announce next year a new immunization schedule for children that matches Denmark, which will result in fewer vaccinations. Despite the headline, Moderna (MRNA 35.68, +1.88, +5.56%) is one of the top-performing S&P 500 names today. The stock has been on a tear as of recent, gaining 37% since the start of December. 

Shares rose last week after The Hill reported the company will receive $54.3 million in funding for research into a potential bird flu vaccine from a global vaccine partnership fund.