Get ready for another round of COVID-19 vaccines. Pfizer plans to roll out a vaccine to protect against Omicron and other variants by spring.
In a recent sitdown with CNBC’s Meg Tirrell on “Squawk Box,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said the company aims to have the vaccine ready in March.
“This vaccine will be ready in March,” Bourla said during Monday’s interview. “We [are] already starting manufacturing some of these quantities at risk.”
Bourla said it’s unclear whether the Omicron vaccine is needed or how it will be used, but it will be ready. He also said the vaccine will be effective against other variants that are still spreading. He added that some countries want it ready as soon as possible.
“The hope is that we will achieve something that will have way, way better protection particularly against infections, because the protection against the hospitalizations and the severe disease — it is reasonable right now, with the current vaccines as long as you are having let’s say the third dose,” he said.
Data from the U.K. has shown that Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are only about 10 percent effective at reducing symptomatic infection from Omicron 20 weeks after receiving the second dose. Booster shots raise that number to 75 percent effective against symptomatic illness.
In December, White House Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci said there is no need for an Omicron-specific vaccine. Instead, he suggested the current boosters, which work against other COVID-19 variants.
Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel told CNBC on Monday that the company is also working on an Omicron-specific booster that is expected in the fall. That vaccine is scheduled to enter clinical trials soon.
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