Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said Wednesday that people might need a fourth Covid-19 shot sooner than expected due to omicron.
Bourla noted that a preliminary study by the company was based on a synthetic, lab-created copy of the variant and more data is needed from tests against the real virus. Those real-world results will be more accurate and are expected in the next two weeks, the Pfizer CEO said.
"When we see real-world data, will determine if the omicron is well covered by the third dose and for how long. And the second point, I think we will need a fourth dose," Bourla told CNBC's "Bourla previously projected that a fourth shot would be needed 12 months after the third dose. "With omicron we need to wait and see because we have very little information. We may need it faster," he said.
The Pfizer CEO said what's most important right now is to roll out third doses for the winter. Public health officials are worried about a spike in"A third dose will give very good protection I believe," Bourla said. He also said that treatments such as Pfizer's oral antiviral pill, Paxlovid, will help prevent hospitalizations and control Covid during the winter.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
FDA Greenlights Booster Shots Of Pfizer/BioNTech’s Covid Vaccine For 16 And 17-Year-OldsPfizer and BioNTech will also apply to the FDA to expand the approval of their companies' vaccine to include the third dose.
Read more »
What we know about Omicron and COVID vaccines as Pfizer says booster neutralizes variantVaccine companies are testing their shots against the variant of concern—and some early data is beginning to emerge.
Read more »
FDA authorizes Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine boosters for 16- and 17-year-oldsThe US Food and Drug Administration on Thursday authorized the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for use as a booster in people ages 16 and 17. It's the first Covid-19 vaccine booster authorized for this age group in the United States.
Read more »
FDA Expands Pfizer COVID-19 Booster To 16- And 17-Year-OldsThe U.S. is expanding COVID-19 boosters, ruling that 16- and 17-year-olds can get a third dose of Pfizer’s vaccine.
Read more »
FDA authorizes Pfizer Covid booster for 16-, 17-year-oldsThe FDA authorized a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for 16- and 17-year-olds, giving those teens access to the shots as the Omicron variant spreads worldwide
Read more »