Social media was ablaze today with posts sharing and commenting on an interview given by Pfizer CEO, Albert Bourla, on the lack of protection against the Covid-19 Omicron variant from the first two doses of the company’s vaccine.
His remarks were made in response to an interviewer’s question regarding surging Omicron numbers.
https://twitter.com/OliL73/status/1481030392698359809
“We know that the two doses of the vaccine offer very limited protection, if any.” Bourla said. “The three doses – with a booster – they offer reasonable protection against hospitalizations and deaths – against deaths, I think very good. ”
“[They offer] less protection against infection,” he acknowledged.
Some videos of the Pfizer CEO’s interviews seem to have been taken down because of copyright issues, but the entire interview remains posted on You Tube.
Yahoo Finance made copyright claim on a viral clip w/ Pfizer CEO Bourla.
Full interview is still up:
“We know 2-dose vaccine offers very limited protection, if any. The 3 doses w a booster, offers reasonable protection against hospitalization & death.”https://t.co/i0acPeDG4C
— Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.today (@JordanSchachtel) January 11, 2022
Two-doses of Pfizer’s or Moderna’s vaccines are only about 10% effective at preventing infection from omicron 20 weeks after the second dose, according to data from the UK, while booster doses are currently 88% effective at preventing hospitalization, There are concerns that the booster effectiveness might also rapidly decline, however.
The U.K. Health Security Agency also found that boosters are only 40% to 50% effective against infection 10 weeks after receiving the shot.
Bourla told CNBC earlier Monday that Pfizer will have a vaccine that specifically targets omicron ready in March, though he said it’s not clear whether it will be needed or not.
He also told CNBC more tests need to be done to determine whether or not fourth doses are necessary.