People are likely to need a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine (or a second dose if they have been given a single dose of the vaccine, such as AstraZeneca) within one year of complete vaccination and more then they may need annual doses to protect themselves against the coronavirus, said Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla.
Pfizer and the German company BioNTech, partners in the production of the vaccine, are studying how long the protective immunity of the vaccines will last. Their findings will provide more detailed information on whether additional doses will be needed.
Bourla said it is "likely" that a booster will be needed within 12 months of the first vaccination.
"It's very important to notice the group of people who are susceptible to the virus," he told CNBC.
Pfizer / BioNTech said this month that data from clinical trials suggest their vaccine offers high levels of protection six months after the second dose. The vaccine also had an effect against several known variants of the coronavirus, including one that was first reported in the UK and another that was thought to have appeared in South Africa.
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Burimet: NBC News, Guardian