Pfizer chief executive said Thursday that people are likely to need a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine within a year of being vaccinated – as a U.S. scientist has warned that immunity to the shots will eventually decline.
It is likely that a booster will be needed within twelve months after the two-dose treatment, said Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer.
“It’s extremely important to suppress the pool of people who are susceptible to the virus,” Bourla told CNBC.
He said it is possible that people should get a COVID-19 survey annually.
Earlier in the day, dr. David Kessler, chief scientific officer of President Biden’s response team, told lawmakers at Capitol Hill that research shows that levels of vaccine immunity decline over time.
“We do not know everything yet,” he testified.
‘We are studying the durability of the antibody response. It seems strong, but there is a slight decrease and undoubtedly the variants [are a] challenge … It makes these vaccines work harder. ”
But Kessler said Americans can expect to pick up a booster.
“I think we should expect that we might have to give a boost and probably get a boost again,” Kessler said.
“No decision, but the current thinking is that those who are more vulnerable may have to go first,” he added.
“But I think [as] if you have a lot of vaccines, we understand [at] at some point we have to give it a boost, whether it’s nine months or 12 months. We are preparing for it. ”
