Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said people may need another shot this fall, as booster efficacy is expected to drop over the next few months. Some countries have been obliged to consider another booster dosage because of an Omicron-driven increase in COVID-19 cases, but early indicators show that repeat immunisation may be necessary.
Pfizer Inc Chief Executive Albert Bourla, on Monday, indicated that a revised vaccine for COVID-19, targeting the Omicron coronavirus strain is likely needed and that Pfizer company could have one ready by March. We're working on higher doses. We're working on different schedules. We're doing a lot of things right now, as we speak," he said. He also said that Pfizer might be ready to submit for regulatory approval in the US.
Bancel, in a CNBC interview, said that Moderna is working on developing a booster targetted at the Omicron variant and can deliver 2- 3 billion boosters by end of this year. Bancel also said that the company was working on developing a vaccine targeted at the Omicron variant. The booster vaccine candidate is called mRNA-1273.529.“We need to be careful to try to stay ahead of a virus and not behind the virus,” Bancel said. An advance purchase agreement has been signed by Moderna with nations like the UK, South Korea and Switzerland with upfront payments worth $18.5 billion.
According to data from the UK, booster shots are 75 per cent effective in protecting against Omicron symptoms, while, two-dose vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer are about 10 per cent effective in protecting against Omicron symptoms.
