Third 'booster' shot likely needed of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
Medical experts say that, like the flu, the COVID-19 virus will never stop mutating, which is partially why a booster shot will likely be needed between nine to 12 months after people are initially vaccinated.
News 12 Staff
•
Apr 16, 2021, 10:03 AM
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Updated 1,105 days ago
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206ds agoPeople who
received Pfizer or Moderna vaccines will likely need a third dose, according
to company officials.
Albert
Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, in an interview released Thursday said "Likely
scenarios is there will likely be a need for a third dose somewhere between six
and 12 months and then from there, there will be an annual vaccination."
VACCINE FINDER: Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The head of
Pfizer also said that an annual shot will likely be needed as well.
Medical experts say that, like the flu, the COVID-19
virus will never stop mutating, which is partially why a booster shot will
likely be needed between nine to 12 months after people are initially
vaccinated.
"If I have to get it, I have to get it. It's no big deal for me," says Bill Goss, of Mohegan Lake.
Work has already begun on creating booster shots. Moderna officials say they hope to have theirs ready by the fall.
Officials from both Pfizer
and Moderna say their vaccines are about 90% effective against the coronavirus
for six months.
But, since it's only been
six months since their trial participants started to get vaccinated, they don't
have the efficacy numbers beyond that.
So while the duration of
immunity after vaccination is being studied, booster vaccines could be needed,
as well as annual shots, similar to the flu shot. "Just like we take the flu
vaccine every year, we kind of anticipated this to be in a similar pattern.
What this vaccine is more than likely going to do is treat all those variants,
just like the flu," says Dr. Azfar Chak, the chief of
the Infectious Disease Department at Montefiore Nyack Hospital.
While some medical experts say it's very likely the
vaccines are highly effective long after 6 months, both Pfizer and Moderna
officials say they are monitoring their trial participants to see if there is a
drop off in protection.
"If I have to get it, I have to get it. It's no big deal for me," says Bill Goss, of Mohegan Lake.
Work has already begun on creating booster shots. Moderna officials say they hope to have theirs ready by the fall.
