Pfizer CEO: Third dose of COVID-19 vaccine 'likely' needed within 1 year

Pfizer's CEO said Thursday that COVID-19 vaccine recipients will “likely” need a third dose between six to 12 months after they’re fully vaccinated and suggested vaccinations for coronavirus could be needed every year.

Albert Bourla told CNBC’s Bertha Coombs at a CVS Health event that he predicts based on current data a “likely scenario” will involve the COVID-19 vaccine being administered to patients annually.

Bourla said it “remains to be seen” how often any potential additional vaccines would be provided. 

A likely scenario is there will be likely a need for a third dose somewhere between six and 12 months and then from there there would be an annual revaccination,” he said at the event.

“But all of that needs to be confirmed and again the variants will play a key role,” he continued. “It is extremely important to suppress the pool of people that can be susceptible to the virus because they are vaccinated with high-efficacy vaccines.”  ...