Pfizer's CEO Albert Bourla made headlines recently when he said those who got the Pfizer vaccine would likely need a third shot within 12 months of the initial two, and booster shots every year thereafter.|| COVID-19 updates | Maryland's latest numbers | Get tested | Vaccine Info || WBAL-TV 11 News spoke with researchers working on potential boosters to sort out these comments.Maryland online vaccination site locatorVaccine Data DashboardMaryland vaccination plan FAQsThe comments are probably disappointing to anyone who got the Pfizer vaccine, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Doctors are working to make these determinations."I want to be healthy, and I want to protect as many people who can't get the vaccine. I just think it's the right and smart thing to do," said Stephanie Shane, a Pfizer vaccine recipient.Everyone has their own reasons for getting the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 4 million shots have been given in Maryland. Most of them are the mRNA vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna, which require two shots. But Bourla recently said those who got their vaccine might need a third dose within 12 months of the initial shots and then boosters every year."I don't know if he's referring to the immunology in that regards. If you notice that the immunity starts to wane over time, it’s common with other vaccinations to require a booster," said Dr. Kristen Lyke, of University of Maryland School of Medicine.Researchers at the UM School of Medicine said they don't know if he's referencing specific data Pfizer has gotten. The only data that has been released shows efficacy is still very good at six months. But Lyke said there could be another reason for needing a booster."If variants become sufficiently different from the original parent strain, it may mean we need to tweak the vaccine in the form of a booster in order to widen the breadth or to give more coverage for those particular strains that are circulating," she said.Those who got the Pfizer vaccine said they'd be willing to get a third or shots every year if needed."Well, I do it with the flu shot, so why should this be any different," Shane said."I don't think it would be inconvenient for me. For some other people they may feel that way, but it is what it is," said Greg Mason, a Pfizer vaccine recipient."It stinks but it’s what we have to do to get past this pandemic," said Rob Pollock, a Pfizer vaccine recipient.Nothing is confirmed yet. The school of medicine is participating in the trials testing those booster shots. Lyke said it will likely be mid-summer before they have answers."There's plenty of time to figure this out and I don't think anyone is suggesting you hit six months and you suddenly don't have protection, that's just not how it works, but the reason there's a lot of conversation going on is we really do need to prepare for next year or next autumn to make important decisions as to whether a boost is needed," Lyke said.Moderna is a very similar vaccine to Pfizer. They're conducting their own trials for potential booster shots.
Pfizer's CEO Albert Bourla made headlines recently when he said those who got the Pfizer vaccine would likely need a third shot within 12 months of the initial two, and booster shots every year thereafter.
|| COVID-19 updates | Maryland's latest numbers | Get tested | Vaccine Info ||
Advertisement
WBAL-TV 11 News spoke with researchers working on potential boosters to sort out these comments.
The comments are probably disappointing to anyone who got the Pfizer vaccine, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Doctors are working to make these determinations.
"I want to be healthy, and I want to protect as many people who can't get the vaccine. I just think it's the right and smart thing to do," said Stephanie Shane, a Pfizer vaccine recipient.
Everyone has their own reasons for getting the COVID-19 vaccine. More than 4 million shots have been given in Maryland. Most of them are the mRNA vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna, which require two shots.
But Bourla recently said those who got their vaccine might need a third dose within 12 months of the initial shots and then boosters every year.
"I don't know if he's referring to the immunology in that regards. If you notice that the immunity starts to wane over time, it’s common with other vaccinations to require a booster," said Dr. Kristen Lyke, of University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Researchers at the UM School of Medicine said they don't know if he's referencing specific data Pfizer has gotten. The only data that has been released shows efficacy is still very good at six months.
But Lyke said there could be another reason for needing a booster.
"If variants become sufficiently different from the original parent strain, it may mean we need to tweak the vaccine in the form of a booster in order to widen the breadth or to give more coverage for those particular strains that are circulating," she said.
Those who got the Pfizer vaccine said they'd be willing to get a third or shots every year if needed.
"Well, I do it with the flu shot, so why should this be any different," Shane said.
"I don't think it would be inconvenient for me. For some other people they may feel that way, but it is what it is," said Greg Mason, a Pfizer vaccine recipient.
"It stinks but it’s what we have to do to get past this pandemic," said Rob Pollock, a Pfizer vaccine recipient.
Nothing is confirmed yet.
The school of medicine is participating in the trials testing those booster shots. Lyke said it will likely be mid-summer before they have answers.
"There's plenty of time to figure this out and I don't think anyone is suggesting you hit six months and you suddenly don't have protection, that's just not how it works, but the reason there's a lot of conversation going on is we really do need to prepare for next year or next autumn to make important decisions as to whether a boost is needed," Lyke said.
Moderna is a very similar vaccine to Pfizer. They're conducting their own trials for potential booster shots.
April 23, 2021 at 09:37AM
https://ift.tt/3awisLW
Doctors, vaccine recipients react to possibility of additional doses, booster shots - WBAL TV Baltimore
https://ift.tt/2DVP6sH
No comments:
Post a Comment