RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A third dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine may “strongly” boost protection against the Delta variant of the coronavirus, suggest new data released Wednesday (28) by the drugmaker which also announced that it may apply for emergency use authorization for a booster shot starting in August.
The data posted online suggest that antibody levels against the Delta variant in people ages 18 to 55 who receive a third dose of vaccine are 5 times greater than those levels following a second dose.
Among people ages 65 to 85, the Pfizer data suggest that antibody levels against the Delta variant after receiving a third dose of vaccine are 11 times greater than those following the second dose.
There is an “estimated potential for up to a 100-fold increase in Delta neutralization after the third dose compared to before the third dose,” Pfizer’s researchers wrote.
The data also show that antibody levels are much higher against the original coronavirus variant and the Beta variant, first identified in South Africa, after a third dose.
The data have not yet been peer-reviewed or published in scientific journals.
U.S. health officials have as yet to endorse a third vaccine shot for the general population, but officials are studying the need for a booster shot in immunocompromised individuals.
Pfizer also said it plans to test a new version of the vaccine to target the fast-spreading Delta variant of the virus in August, with the first batch now manufactured.
The U.S. bought 200 million more doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine last week to help with pediatric vaccination, as well as potential booster shots, if needed.
Revenues on the rise
The data on the third dose comes as the company announced that it expects US$33.5 billion in revenue this year from the sale of 2.1 billion Covid vaccine doses worldwide.
This figure is well above the US$26 billion the company in May said it would bring in this fiscal year. Pfizer also raised its annual sales and profit outlook.
The forecast for increased vaccine sales is based on signed agreements, and the company could raise it should it sign additional contracts.
The drugmaker got a head start in December with the first U.S. emergency licensing of a Covid-19 vaccine and has since gained a head start on rivals that have faced manufacturing hurdles.
Source: Infobae