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July 28, 2021 – Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine continues to show strong protection against serious illness and hospitalization after 6 months, but overall protection against the virus appears to wane after six months, according to a new study.
The July 28, 2021, preprinted report of the study, which was not peer reviewed, suggests a “gradual downward trend in vaccine effectiveness” over 6 months after two doses of Pfizer vaccine in more than 45,000 people around the world.
The study finds that the overall efficiency drops from 96% to 84%.
At the same time, a third booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine increases the levels of neutralizing antibodies against the Delta variant by more than 5 times, compared to levels after only a second dose in people aged 18 to 55, according to new data from Pfizer.
The immune response to the third dose appears to be even more robust – more than 11 times higher than the second dose – in people aged 65 to 85.
The company noted that this could mean an estimated 100-fold increase in the protection of the Delta variant after a third dose. These new findings are outlined in a report on second quarter 2021 earnings from Pfizer, which notes that the data is being submitted for publication in a medical journal.
The data come from a relatively small number of people studied. There were 11 people in the 18 to 55 age group and 12 in the 65 to 85 age group.
“These preliminary data are very encouraging as Delta continues to spread,” said Mikael Dolsten, MD, chief scientist and president of the global organization for research, development and medicine at Pfizer, in prepared remarks during a call for the company’s results today, CNN reported.
The availability of a third dose of any of the current COVID-19 vaccines would require changing the FDA emergency use authorization or the vaccine obtaining full FDA approval.
The possibility of a third dose authorization or approval has not been without controversy. For example, when Pfizer announced its intention to seek FDA clearance for a booster dose on July 8, the CDC, FDA, and the National Institutes of Health quickly released a joint statement that they would decide on the opportune time for Americans to have a third vaccination. The agencies said, in part, “We are ready for booster doses if and when science shows they are needed.”
In addition, the World Health Organization said at a press conference on July 12 that wealthy countries should prioritize sharing COVID-19 vaccine supplies with other countries in need around the world. before allocating doses for a booster for its own residents.
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