Pfizer CEO: "Third COVID Vaccine Dose Needed... Annual Vaccination Possible"

Mention of the Need for Additional Vaccination Within One Year After the 1st and 2nd Vaccine Doses

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, stated that even if individuals have completed two doses of the company's COVID-19 vaccine, additional vaccination will be necessary within a year.

This suggests that there will continue to be sustained demand for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. As AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccines, which were produced using traditional vaccine manufacturing methods, have been halted due to blood clot issues, demand for Pfizer and Moderna's mRNA vaccines may increase further.

If demand for mRNA vaccines rises further, securing vaccines could become even more difficult not only for South Korea but also for underdeveloped countries.

In an interview with CNBC released on the 15th (local time), Bourla said, "We need to know how often we have to get vaccinated," adding, "The most likely scenario is a third dose between six and twelve months."

He also predicted that after the third dose, additional vaccinations will be required annually. He argued that additional doses are necessary given the high likelihood of new variant viruses continuing to emerge.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Pfizer and BioNTech began research on the effectiveness of a third dose in February. Although the study is not yet complete, Bourla emphasized the necessity of a third vaccination. Currently, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine requires a second dose three weeks after the first dose.

David Kessler, the Biden administration's chief science officer for COVID-19 response, expressed the same view. During testimony before Congress that day, Kessler said, "Americans will need additional vaccinations to respond to variant COVID-19 strains."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.