While several scientific and political voices claim that this 5th wave of coronavirus may be the last, “the most likely scenario is that the virus will continue to circulate for many years“, warned Albert Bourla, the boss of Pfizer on BFMTV. “But the most important thing is to be able to return to our life before. Thanks to the tools created by science, I am convinced that this wave may be the last with so many restrictions“, he assured. In an interview with Le Figaro, he also clarified that we were “well placed” for a return to normal life “in the spring”.
According to several studies, current vaccines would be less effective against Omicron, deemed to be more contagious. “We don’t want to be overtaken by the virus.”, said the boss of the pharmaceutical firm. “We are working on a new version of the vaccine that will cover old variants and Omicron”. A study by the British health agency, dating from the end of December, estimated that three doses of vaccine carried out only with Pfizer-BioNTech conferred 70% protection against symptomatic forms of Omicron. But this protection would drop quite quickly, down to 45% after 10 weeks.
“For me, it is important to have three doses. Then one dose per year, except for immunocompromised people who could be vaccinated quarterly. We will have the data on the fourth dose in March, at the same time as those on a new vaccine”, said Albert Bourla at the microphone of BFMTV.
Pfizer is also developing an antiviral treatment for sick people, in order to reduce the risk of death or serious forms of the disease. The Paxlovid “is in the finalization phase”, said Albert Bourla. “It will arrive at the end of January in French pharmacies“, he said in the Figaro.