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What Pfizer’s plan for a third
coronavirus vaccine dose means for you |
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Last
week, the companies Pfizer and BioNTech announced
that a third dose of their coronavirus vaccine, given six months after a
second dose, appears to preserve "the highest levels of protection"
in those who were vaccinated. The
companies made their announcement without releasing any new data,
but noted plans to publish new information soon. A Pfizer
spokesperson later told CNN that the company plans to file for emergency use
authorization for a booster dose
with the US Food and Drug Administration in August. On
Monday, Pfizer executives briefed US
federal health officials about why they believe a third
booster shot of its vaccine will be needed. "The
CDC and the FDA said that based on the data that we know right now, we don't
need a boost," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN. "That
doesn't mean that that won't change. We might need, as a matter of fact,
at some time to give boosters either across the board or to certain select
groups, such as the elderly or those with underlying conditions," Fauci
added. In a
statement, Pfizer said it would be publishing "more definitive data in a
peer-reviewed journal and continuing to work with regulatory authorities to
ensure that our vaccine continues to offer the highest degree of protection
possible.” |
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