Pfizer CEO Says 4th Dose of COVID Vaccine May Be Needed

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla recently said that a fourth dose of its coronavirus vaccine may be needed as concerns heighten over the Omicron variant.

“I think when we see real-world data [we’ll] determine if the Omicron is well covered by the third dose and for how long,” Bourla said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Wednesday.

Bourla added, “I think we will need the fourth dose. I’ve said that multiple times.”

The CEO also explained that he had projected a fourth vaccine dose would be needed a year after a third shot, however, that timeline may now need to be moved up, the Business Insider reported.

“With Omicron, we need to wait and see because we have very little information. We may need it faster,” Bourla said. 

Bourla went on to say he thinks “a third dose will give very good protection” during the upcoming winter months. 

On Wednesday the drugmaker said that its two-shot COVID-19 vaccine alone helped fight the new variant but now it’s saying that two doses alone produced a lesser response.

Omicron, which was first found in Botswana — was reached in the US last week, with now 19 states confirming cases of the variant.