The pharmaceutical giant’s CEO said that a third booster shot may be needed for greater protection
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has suggested that the third dosage of the vaccine may be needed between six and twelve months, speaking at a CVS hosted panel discussion about the corona vaccination. He further added that annual revaccination will also likely be needed. CVS Health President and CEO Karen S. Lynch were also present during the discussion moderated by CNBC’s correspondent Bertha Coombs.
“A likely scenario is that there will be likely a need for a third dose somewhere between six and 12 months, and then from there, there will be an annual revaccination — but all of that needs to be confirmed,” Bourla said.
Bourla said that the vaccine was similar to the one administered for the influenza virus, which is needed on an annual basis. “There are vaccines like polio that one dose is enough, and there are vaccines like flu that you need every year. The COVID virus looks more like the influenza virus than the poliovirus,” he said.
In February, Pfizer suggested that a third booster shot may be needed six to twelve months after the first two shots to build further immunity and to counter any future strains of the virus. They are trialing for the third shot to see the results.
Clotting concerns
The vaccines produced by Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca have been associated with rare blood clotting conditions in some people. The use of the two vaccines in the U.S. and Europe has been halted.
As per reports, J&J has privately reached out to both Moderna and Pfizer for help regarding studying the issue. However, the two companies have reportedly declined the request, citing that their vaccines work with different technology.