Pfizer says it is developing a Covid booster shot to target the highly transmissible delta variant

[TomCADem]

I understand that U.S. drug manufacturers Pfizer and Moderna, are pushing to seek full approval, and not just EU approval of their vaccines, but is it worthwhile to do that, or should they instead focus on a new vaccine that targets the most recent variants?

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/08/pfizer-says-it-is-developing-a-covid-booster-shot-to-target-the-highly-transmissible-delta-variant.html

Pfizer and BioNTech announced Thursday they are developing a Covid-19 booster shot intended to target the delta variant as concerns rise about the highly transmissible strain that is already the dominant form of the disease in the United States.

The companies said although they believe a third shot of their current two-dose vaccine has the potential to preserve the “highest levels” of protection against all currently known variants, including delta, they are “remaining vigilant” and developing an updated version of the vaccine.

“As seen in real world data released from the Israel Ministry of Health, vaccine efficacy in preventing both infection and symptomatic disease has declined six months post-vaccination, although efficacy in preventing serious illnesses remains high,” the companies said in a written statement. “These findings are consistent with an ongoing analysis from the Companies’ Phase 3 study,” they said. “That is why we have said, and we continue to believe that it is likely, based on the totality of the data we have to date, that a third dose may be needed within 6 to 12 months after full vaccination.”

Clinical studies could begin as early as August, subject to regulatory approvals, the companies said.

[hlthe2b]

1. The booster is not an entirely new vaccine nor one that does not use the same methods, THUS

they will not be starting at scratch to gain approval. Just as the annual flu vaccines (which are newly produced each year based on the best information on what influenza strains are circulating worldwide and most likely to be those for which the population is most at risk). These vaccines only go through a TOTALLY NEW approval process when the methodology is changed.

So, this is not an either/or. It is a concurrent focus on BOTH. The full approval for Pfizer's mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is all but sure to come very soon. That full approval will allow for the "tinkering" done on the same vaccine to improve its efficacy against the delta and other variants to be a streamlined "add-on" approval process.

[SheltieLover]

5. Ty for the info!

STATNEWS is reporting FDA has agreed to expedite the process!

(Seems to me it would have been prudent to be reviewing data all along, but maybe they have been.)

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215682387

[UTUSN]

2. Bring it *ON*, my pfize!

[Blue_true]

3. I don't know how well that will work.

As long as we have pinheads in developed nations refusing to get vaccinated and we take in people from less developed nations, we are going to be exposed to viruses that vaccines can’t fully control (or control at all).

[Hortensis]

4. :) Their scientists would be mobbed like rock stars if people recognized them.

I'm so grateful that they CAN do this. Imagine if the new miracle advances in vaccine development were still in the future.

[CentralMass]

6. Gamma is going to be jealous

[colsohlibgal]

7. Exciting To Hear

As a Pfizer gal can’t wait.

Meanwhile like a lot of us I am furious at the anti vaccine idiots. If they weren’t gullible idiots Covid would be in the rear view mirror.

[bahboo]

8. both arms are ready, willing and able....

[WarGamer]

9. Time to buy more MRNA stock.

I've made a bundle in the last month as Moderna has gone on a market tear... playing Call Options... when it rips $10-20 up in a day!!

Moderna. The Vaccine for Patriots made by proud AMERICANS in MASSACHUSETTS.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

10. My son is in the Pfzier booster trial

My son was in the original Pfzier trial and received his vaccinations back in August of last year. He got the real vaccine and was asked to participate in this trial. This is the regular pfzier vaccine. My son thinks that he got the vaccine in that he ran a fever for two or three days and his arm still hurt some. These are slightly more severe compared the side effects he felt for his second shot

This is the regular pfzier vaccine. My son is not supposed to go back for blood work until Feb. which is strange to me.

Last time my son did an antibody test to see if he was in the vaccine group and not the control group. He is thinking about doing this again