Pfizer CEO, Albert Bourla, said in nationally televised interview that it is necessary to fend off waning protection.
This article was originally published in ContagionLive.com
(Adobe Stock)
Yesterday, on the nationally broadcast television show, Face the Nation, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said he expected people to need a fourth dose of the vaccine to prevent another wave of COVID-19.
Back in January, a study published in The Lancet found that 3 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) or AstraZeneca (AZD1222) COVID-19 vaccines effectively neutralized the Omicron variant.
However since the emergence of Omicron in the last few months, waning protection in the vaccines has been a developing issue as the case loads increased in the early part of 2022.
Pfizer has been working on a booster dose to address the variants.
"The variants are coming," Bourla said. "Omicron was the first to be able to evade in a skillful way the immune protection we were given, but we also know the duration of the protection doesn’t last very long. What we are trying to do—and we are working very diligently right now—is to not only make a vaccine that protects against all variants including Omicron but something that also protects for a year."
When asked if a fourth dose was necessary, Bourla said, ”It is necessary a fourth booster, right now; the protection we are getting from the third is good enough; it is actually quite good for hospitalizations and deaths; it’s not that good against infections.”
No timeline has been set for the booster dose for the variants yet, but Bourla says the company will be ready with the manufacturing whenever a decision is made.
In the same interview, he said we are going to have to learn how to live with the virus. When asked if he thought if the COVID-19 vaccine would need to be administered annually like the influenza vaccine Bourla said, “I think so."
Second Strain of Bird Flu Found in US Dairy Cows: What It Means for Infection Prevention and Control
February 7th 2025A new H5N1 strain was found in Nevada dairy cows, challenging earlier transmission theories. This raises concerns about animal vulnerability, human health risks, and food safety. Experts emphasize the need for improved surveillance, biosecurity, and cross-sector collaboration to contain the virus spread.
Fungal Infections: The Silent Epidemic Threatening Global Health
February 6th 2025Fungal infections are a rising global threat, with antifungal resistance complicating treatment. Neil J. Clancy, MD, emphasizes the urgent need for research, better diagnostics, and stronger infection prevention strategies.
Hiding in Plain Sight: The Most Harmful and Costly Hospital-Acquired Infection
February 5th 2025Nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) is a deadly, overlooked infection impacting patient outcomes. With new diagnostic tools and prevention strategies, hospitals must prioritize oral hygiene to reduce risk.