Pfizer might soon have a new version of its vaccine on the market that targets the omicron variant of COVID-19, which the company expects will be ready in March.
In an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box on Monday, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said the company has already started manufacturing doses of the vaccine.
“We hope that we will achieve something that will have way, way better protection against infections,” he said. “I don’t know if we will need it or how it will be used, but it will be ready.”
Bourla said the new dose will also be effective against other variants circulating in addition to the omicron variant.
UK GOVERNMENT ADVISERS RECOMMEND AGAINST FOURTH VACCINE DOSE
Though he could not say if there is a need for another booster at this point, he said several countries have indicated they want it as soon as it is ready.
Israel is among the first countries that have already made a fourth dose of the Pfizer vaccine available to people over the age of 60 with compromised immune systems and healthcare workers.
British government advisers said they recommend against giving a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to nursing home residents and people over 80, according to the United Kingdom’s Health Security Agency.
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“One of the things that we’re going to be following very carefully is what the durability of the protection is following the third dose of an mRNA vaccine,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House’s chief medical adviser, said during an interview with WCBS 880 on Dec. 22. “We may go a significant period of time without requiring a fourth dose, so I do think it’s premature, at least on the part of the United States, to be talking about a fourth dose.”
