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Summary
- Pfizer’s CEO expresses thoughts on administrating a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- It is pointed out that the present Pfizer vaccine is almost 95% effective in fighting the COVID-19 infection.
- As per the Ministry of Health, a total of 135,585 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in New Zealand as of 13 April 2021.
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Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s CEO, opined that considering the present circumstances, it was very likely that all those who had been vaccinated, in all probability, needed a third jab in the next 12 months period.
Bourla expressed that a COVID-19 booster might be needed after the two vaccine shots to safeguard oneself against the deadly virus.
However, Chris James, NZ’s Medsafe group manager, refuted the above claims stating that such statement was not backed by any scientific findings and would have no impact on the nation’s inoculation programme.
He stated that a detailed study needs to be conducted on the requirement of a booster.
Must Read: NZ to commence COVID-19 vaccinations from 20 February: Ardern
NZ Vaccination Summary
It is noted that a total of 135,585 doses have been administered in New Zealand as of 13 April 2021. Out of these, 105,391 shots have been given as the first dose to the people and 30,194 doses have been administered as the second dose.
Must Read: PM Ardern announces rollout schedule for COVID-19 vaccine
Purchase Of Sufficient Quantities Of The Pfizer Vaccine
It is noted that in early March 2021, NZ Government had purchased additional 8.5 million shots of the Pfizer vaccine to vaccinate its 4.25 million population.
Earlier, the Government had procured 1.5 million doses to inoculate 750K Kiwis.
Thus, a total of 10 million vaccine doses are required to administer two shots of the Pfizer vaccine to safeguard the NZ population and keep the ghastly virus at bay.
Must Read: Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine gets Medsafe’s go-ahead for roll-out in New Zealand
Booster Required In Future
Bourla reiterated that people might require the COVID-19 booster shot annually just like they get a yearly flu vaccine. The feasibility of such a vaccine is likely to occur between 6-12 months after getting the second jab of the COVID-19 Vaccine.
It is pointed out that the present Pfizer vaccine is almost 95% effective in fighting the COVID-19 infection. However, the pharma company is planning to come up with the 3rd dose of the vaccine. This is likely to increase the antibodies up to 10-20 folds in an individual.
Nonetheless, further, and concrete research is to be conducted in this regard.
