On Saturday, Albert Bourla, who is the chief executive officer (CEO) of Pfizer, said that an annual vaccine for COVID-19 rather than frequent booster shots would be preferred. As the cases have soared globally, some countries have expanded the rollout of booster shots while others have shortened the gap between shots; to increase protection.
The booster shot from Pfizer-BioNTech has been successful in decreasing the severity of a Covid infection due to the omicron variant and has prevented deaths. Breakthrough cases are generally mild but the booster shot has not be effective in preventing the transmission of the infection.
Speaking on Israel’s N12 News, the CEO said that he was hoping that Pfizer would have a vaccine that had to be taken once a year. He said that it would be easier to convince people to take a shot. It would also be easier for them to remember to take a shot.
Bourla said that the pharmaceutical giant was looking at a vaccine that covered omicron while it also “doesn’t forget the other variants.” He said that the company was looking for such a solution. He also said that they could be ready with a redesigned vaccine that would battle with the omicron variant and file for approval. They would then work to mass produce it by March.
On Friday, at a press conference, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky said that the agency was working on “pivoting the language” on COVID-19 vaccines, as she said that they wanted everyone to be up to date and explained it as follows: “That means if you recently got your second dose, you’re not eligible for a booster, you’re up to date.”
She added, “If you are eligible for a booster and you haven’t got it, you’re not up to date and you need to get your booster in order to be up to date.
Although the number of Covid cases are falling, the deaths have been crossing 2,000 from the past four days, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
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