In its annual proxy filing, Moderna [one of the makers of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine] disclosed that it spent more than $1 million on security for CEO Stéphane Bancel last year and other Moderna executives.

“In response to the increased profile of our company and our executives as we pursued the development of a vaccine against COVID-19, in 2020 the company authorized the provision of personal and home security services to certain” executives, the proxy filing says. 

For personal and home security services, Moderna spent just over $1 million on Bancel, plus $143,719 for R&D chief Tal Zaks, who has since said he will leave the company. Two other executives also received protection in the low five-figure range.

"The company began to provide such services to address increased security concerns as we pursued the development of a COVID-19 vaccine during 2020," the proxy stated.