In a video released Thursday, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said he believed a third dose of the company’s coronavirus vaccine would be needed within twelve months of receiving the first two doses.
Bourla said during an online meeting of CVS Health that current research suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 has similar properties to those of influenza viruses, which will require periodic vaccination to prevent outbreaks. prevent.
“The protection goes down over time,” Bourla said, “but still [after] six months it is very, very high. ”
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But, “if you ask me, I think there will be a need for re-vaccinations.”
‘A likely scenario is that a third dose will probably be needed between 6-12 months, and from there it will be vaccinated again annually, but this needs to be confirmed. ‘
Bourla added that it was crucial that the global population be vaccinated as soon as possible to reduce the likelihood of the occurrence of variants that could bypass existing vaccinations.
Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, speaks at a Pfizer manufacturing site on February 19, 2021 in Portage, Michigan. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)
“It is extremely important to suppress the group of people who are susceptible to the virus … Because the group of people defines how many replications the virus will do and defines … how many variants will appear.”
The BioNTech Pfizer shot is based on new mRNA technology and was the first COVID-19 vaccine approved in the West late last year.
Both the United States and the European Union have approved its use for people aged 16 and over. Since then, it has been used by millions of adults in more than 65 countries.
In an actual study involving 1.2 million people in Israel, it is 94% effective.
Bourla was a guest of honor at a government ceremony Wednesday night in celebration of Israel’s 73rd year of independence.
“Together we are demonstrating that we can defeat the COVID-19 pandemic through mass vaccinations and save lives,” Bourla said in a video address.
Pfizer and BioNTech are now testing their shots for kids. On Wednesday, they said the vaccine is 100 percent effective against the coronavirus in 12- to 15-year-olds, as the companies give approval for adolescents to get shots before the next school year.
Phase 3 trials conducted on 2,260 adolescents in the United States showed 100 percent efficiency and robust antibody responses, ‘the companies said in a statement.
