Self-insured employers and some workers sued, alleging the companies had a fiduciary responsibility to reduce their drug costs.

"We don’t want the world to lose confidence in vaccines that are currently available,” said Dr. Kanta Subbarao, a virologist who chairs that WHO committee.

"There is no magic bullet," HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said at a news conference.

Expect more contract disputes as labor and supply costs rise for providers, and payers look to curb premiums.