The vaccine will “probably” need the third Jab Pfizer in 12 months, then annual photos

The CEO of Pfizer said it is “likely” that those vaccinated with the company’s COVID-19 vaccination will need a third shot within 12 months of receiving the initial two doses and will need a new shot each time. year after that.

Albert Bourla, the head of the pharmaceutical giant, made the comments earlier this month in an interview with CNBC, which was made public on Thursday. To date, more than 102 million doses of Pfizer vaccine have been distributed in the United States and more than 38 million people have been completely vaccinated.

“A likely scenario is that there will probably be 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 during the event. He added: “There are vaccines like polio where a single dose is enough and there are vaccines like the flu you need every year.”

Bourla added that COVID-19 looks more like the flu than a virus like polio.

Reuters reported Thursday that the White House is preparing for Americans to need booster shots nine to 12 months after the initial vaccination, with scientists continuing to study how long vaccinations provide protection against coronavirus. Initial data showed that those who receive Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna photos have protection for at least six months, but the abbreviated timeline of vaccine development means that researchers still do not have firm answers when it comes to long-term protection.

Moderna said this week that she is also working on booster photos, which will be ready by the fall.

“We believe we will all need stimulation,” Stéphane Bancel, Moderna’s chief executive, told CNBC.

A major concern, however, is the spread of COVID-19 variants in the US and abroad. These strains are now the most common source of infection in the United States

Pfizer said in February that it would begin testing a booster shot to see if it would extend protection, as well as update the original vaccine to better prevent coronavirus infection.

“We are taking several steps to act decisively and be prepared if a strain becomes resistant to the protection offered by the vaccine,” Bourla said at the time.