© AFP
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A third shot of the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine will be needed about six to twelve months after the second shot. So said Özlem Türeci, the driving force behind that vaccine and Chief Medical Officer of BioNTech. However, an adjustment of the formula to combat the delta variant will not be necessary.
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jvhSource: Politico
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According to Türeci, studies show that those vaccinated with the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine can already count on “robust protection against the variants currently circulating”, but the third dose elicits “a strong neutralizing response” against the delta and beta variants. Therefore, the company recommends a so-called ‘boostershot‘ to “for the highest degree of protection”.
However, it is not necessary to adapt the vaccine to combat the delta variant more efficiently. “That may change if new variants appear,” said CEO Uğur Şahin. “And it is quite possible that in the next six to 12 months there will be such variants that do require us to adapt the vaccine.”
The European Union recently signed a deal to purchase an additional 900 million doses of the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine, with an option for an additional 900 million doses. Those vaccines should ensure that the EU boostershots can distribute, but the agreement is that the contract also applies to any modified vaccines.
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