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Pfizer and BioNTech announced Thursday that they are developing a Covid-19 booster to target the delta variant as concerns grow over the highly transmissible strain which is already the dominant form of the disease in the United States.
The companies have said although they believe that a third shot of their current two-dose vaccine has the potential to preserve the “highest levels” of protection against all currently known variants, including delta, they “remain vigilant “and are developing an updated version of the vaccine.
“As real-world evidence released by the Israeli Ministry of Health shows, the efficacy of the vaccine declined six months after vaccination, at the same time as the Delta variant became the dominant variant in the country,” the researchers said. companies in a written statement. .
“These results are consistent with an ongoing analysis of the companies’ Phase 3 study,” they said. “This is why we said, and we continue to believe that it is likely, based on all of the data available to us to date, that a third dose may be required within 6 to 12 months. full vaccination. “
Clinical studies could begin as early as August, subject to regulatory approvals, the companies said.
The announcement comes on the same day that the organizers of the Olympics said they were banning all spectators from the games this year after Japan declared a state of emergency intended to curb a wave of new Covid infections. 19 due in part to the delta variant.
The World Health Organization estimates that Delta is around 55% more transmissible than alpha, the variant first discovered in the UK that once dominated the US. does not protect as well against mild illness and the spread of disease to others, scientists say.
On Monday, Israeli officials reported a decrease in the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in preventing infections and symptomatic illnesses, but said it was still very effective in preventing serious illness.
In the United States, health officials are urging all eligible Americans to get vaccinated as soon as possible, especially before the fall season, when the delta is expected to cause a further rise in new coronavirus cases, particularly in places with the lowest vaccination rates.
There are about 1,000 counties in the United States that have Covid vaccine coverage of less than 30%, mostly located in the Southeast and Midwest, CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky recently said. The agency is already seeing increased infection rates in these areas due to the increased spread of the delta variant.
Executives at Pfizer and BioNtech have repeatedly stated that people are likely to need a booster, or a third dose, within 12 months of their full vaccination because they expect immunity. induced by the vaccine decreases over time. They also said that it is likely that people will need to receive additional injections each year.
Pfizer and BioNTech are developing booster injections and are expected to seek US authorization for a third dose of its vaccine shortly.
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