Pfizer CEO sees the annual COVID vaccine more often than promoters, Reuters reports

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Pfizer Inc. (NYSE 🙂 CEO Albert Bourla said on Saturday that the annual COVID-19 vaccine would be better than a frequency shot to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Pfizer / BioNtech’s COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be effective against mutations and deaths caused by the highly mutated Omicron variant, but is not effective in preventing transmission.

As the number of cases has risen, some countries have expanded their COVID-19 vaccine promotion programs or narrowed the gap between plans as governments struggle to strengthen protection.

In an interview with Israel’s N12 News, Bourla was asked if booster shots are given regularly every four to five months.

“This is not going to be a good scenario. What I hope (is) is that we will have a vaccine that you will have to do once a year,” Bourla said.

“Once a year, it’s easier to convince people to do it. It’s easier for people to remember.

“So from a public health standpoint, the situation is right. We’re looking at whether we can create a vaccine that covers Omicron and doesn’t forget about other variants, and whether that could be a solution,” Bourla said.

Bourla said Pfizer may be ready to accept a redesigned vaccine to fight Omicron and produce it as soon as March.

Citing three studies, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Friday that a third dose of an mRNA vaccine is essential to prevent Omicron from providing 90% protection against hospitalization.

A preliminary study released by Israel’s Sheba Medical Center on Monday found that a fourth shot raises antibodies to even higher levels than the third, but that was probably not enough to scare Omicron away. However, a second push for risk groups was still advised, Sheba said.