(Bloomberg) The top executives of two of the largest manufacturers of covid-19 vaccines disagree on the need for a fourth dose for the majority of the world's population.
The CEO of Pfizer Inc., Albert Bourla, said in an interview for CBS on Sunday that the protection of three vaccines will decrease and a fourth dose is needed “right now.” Later, in an interview, Moderna Inc. president Stephen Hoge pointed out that a second booster is probably only needed for older or immunocompromised people, and that the rest of the population may be more selective about receiving the dose, Business Insider reported.
Both agreed that the virus is here to stay.
Many countries are trying to strike a balance between living with covid-19, dealing with a public tired of the virus or sometimes reluctant to get vaccinated, and trying to thwart sudden outbreaks of serious cases that may again outstrip healthcare resources. Research suggests that booster doses help reduce the consequences of infection, although some vaccines work better than others in preventing infections caused by the omicron variant.
A fourth dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was insufficient to prevent omicron infection, although it provided a partial defense against the variant, according to preliminary data released in January from a trial conducted in Israel. The country, along with South Korea, is one of the few that is giving fourth doses and, so far, only for the most vulnerable.
Vaccine manufacturers also face the likelihood that more variants will emerge as the virus mutates.
Last week, Bourla said in an interview with Bloomberg News that Pfizer will soon send data to US regulators on the effects of a fourth dose of its covid-19 vaccine, and is optimistic about the development of a vaccine that attacks the omicron variant along with previous variants.
Moderna is optimistic that a bivalent booster, which can attack both omicron and the original variant of the virus, may be available this year, according to the Business Insider report.
While he said young and healthy people can choose not to receive a booster, he intends to get vaccinated annually to protect against the long-term effects of the virus.
“Is it necessary? I think it's a strong word. I think it will bring a benefit to anyone who receives it,” he said, referring to reinforcements. “Whether or not public health continues to recommend it for everyone is something more complicated, because not everyone wants to receive the first two” booster doses.
Original Note:
Pfizer, Modern Chiefs Diverge on Need for Fourth Covid Shot
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