Pfizer is Developing a Covid Booster Shot to Target the Deadly Delta Variant

Just when it looked like the Coronavirus pandemic was easing up, the Delta variant has a put an awful damper on the progress.

In response to the deadly Delta varient, Pfizer and BioNTech announced on Thursday that they are developing a Covid-19 booster shot intended to target it.
Clinical studies could begin as early as August and are subject to regulatory approvals.

Executives from Pfizer and BioNtech have said many times that people will likely need a booster shot, or third dose, within 12 months of getting fully vaccinated.

The Delta variant of the coronavirus is a highly transmissible strain that is already the dominant form of the disease in the United States. It is estimated by the World Health Organization to be about 55% more transmissible than alpha, the variant first found in the United Kingdom that once dominated the U.S.

The companies believe a third shot of their current two-dose vaccine has the potential to preserve the “highest levels” of protection against all currently known variants and are “remaining vigilant” and developing an updated version of the vaccine.

“As seen in real world evidence released from the Israel Ministry of Health, vaccine efficacy has declined six months post-vaccination, at the same time that the Delta variant is becoming the dominate variant in the country,” both companies wrote.

“These findings are consistent with an ongoing analysis from the companies’ Phase 3 study,” they said. “That is why we have said, and we continue to believe that it is likely, based on the totality of the data we have to date, that a third dose may be needed within 6 to 12 months after full vaccination.”

Olympics organizers have recently announced that they are banning all spectators from the games this year after Japan declared a state of emergency.

Health officials in the U.S. are urging all eligible Americans to get vaccinated as quickly as possible.

Disclaimer: We have no position in any of the companies mentioned and have not been compensated for this article.