Topline
Pfizer and BioNTech could finish work by the fall on a new version of its Covid-19 vaccine that can better protect against the omicron variant while still being effective against other known strains of the virus, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said Wednesday, as subvariants of the highly transmissible strain loom in the midst of a lull in Covid-related death rates.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla oversee the production of the Pfizer-BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine during a … [+]
Key Facts
Bourla said at a media briefing held by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations that it was a “possibility,” though not a certainty that the shots could be ready by the fall, as the company is still collecting data.
Pfizer is also working to extend the effectiveness of its Covid-19 vaccine to a year, compared to current shots that have been shown to wane after about six months, though Bourla said it has been “very challenging.”
Key Background
Covid-19 vaccines developed against the initial version of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus have been found to be less effective against its omicron variant, particularly after about six months, research has found, including a March study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Protection against symptomatic disease dropped from around 75% two to four weeks after a second dose to about 15% roughly six months later.
What To Watch For
Moderna began phase 2 trials of its Omicron-specific booster shot last month. It’s designed to be administered at least three months after an initial two-dose immunization and a third booster dose from an mRNA Covid vaccine. The company said it aims to share its findings with public health authorities “as they prepare for the fall booster season.”
What We Don’t Know
Deaths from Covid-19 worldwide fell last week to the lowest levels since the early days of the pandemic, the World Health Organization noted Wednesday, though it cautioned against new subvariants of the omicron strain that have caused case spikes in some countries. These subvariants, known as BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5, appear to be no more severe or transmissible than the original omicron strain, though a significant drop-off in testing for Covid-19 has limited the organization’s ability to monitor these subvariants, the WHO said.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/masonbissada/2022/04/13/pfizer-may-have-omicron-optimized-covid-vaccine-ready-by-fall-ceo-says/