Omicron may require fourth vaccine dose sooner than expected, Pfizer says

[iemanja]

The new omicron variant could increase the likelihood that people will need a fourth coronavirus vaccine dose earlier than expected, executives at pharmaceutical giant Pfizer said Wednesday. Boosters are likely to help control the variant, according to the company, which said early lab experiments suggest that the standard two-dose regimen still provides some protection against severe illness from the variant.

Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s chief executive, had projected that a fourth dose might be needed 12 months after a third shot. But he said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that the timeline might need to be moved up. One of the company’s top scientists recently said a fourth shot — possibly one targeting omicron — is likely to be necessary.

More than 40 people in the United States have tested positive for the omicron variant, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told the Associated Press on Wednesday. Nearly all of them showed mild symptoms, she said. Elsewhere, the World Health Organization said Wednesday that omicron cases have been reported in 57 countries so far.

That's the entire story.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/12/09/covid-omicron-variant-live-updates/

Looks like we may be getting COVID boosters on a regular basis, even more than once a year.

[SoCalDavidS]

1. LOL!

People have given up on getting vaccinated.

We're probably not going to reach 70% fully vaccinated.

We're probably not going to reach 50% getting a single booster.

Good luck with anything beyond that.

[iemanja]

3. Do you get flu shots?

Why not a COVID shot as well?

[SoCalDavidS]

5. I'm Not Talking About Myself

I'm talking about the average American who couldn't give a shit whether this pandemic ever actually ends.

We've more or less reached the point of accepting the 1,000+ daily deaths, much like we've accepted the daily gun violence tallies.

26% have got booster shots. Any chance of reaching anywhere close to herd immunity is long gone.

I bet after all that's happened the last 2 years, and all the disinformation, that the # of people who get a flu shot will drop significantly going forward.

Over 1/3rd of Americans couldn't care less about the health of themselves or others. It's just a fact.

[iemanja]

7. I wish I could disagree.

[LisaL]

14. Will the new covid variant circulating,

herd immunity is a pipe dream anyway. Omicron evades vaccine immunity and natural immunity pretty well. Covid appears to be outsmarting our best efforts to beat it.
Anyhow, I can't worry about those who won't vaccinate-nothing I can do about that. I got my booster, if more boosters are deemed to be beneficial, I will get those as well.

[radius777]

44. Agree, but the antivirals could be a game changer

that could drastically reduce deaths and thus neuter the virus though it would still be around.

[Mariana]

46. The ones that have to be taken early in the course of the disease

probably won't make a huge difference in the death rate in the US. So many of the unvaccinated, when they get sick, either refuse to believe they have Covid at all, or they insist on taking vitamin C or horse paste or whatever for it. They only seek medical attention later when they can't breathe anymore, and by then the damage is done.

[iemanja]

50. Same here

All I can control is myself, and I’m doing my best to stay COVID-free.

[Celerity]

19. 100 million Covidiots

[LiberatedUSA]

38. The spoiler alert shirt...

…breaks the day’s stupid allowance.

[radius777]

42. Anti-maskers/anti-vaxxers should be required to sign

a form stating that should they get sick they relinquish all treatment, and accept their fate.

They should also be liable for anyone they infect.

[LymphocyteLover]

27. Yes, sadly true. Nothing will change unless the virus starts killing a much higher frequency of

people, I suspect.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. One a year, not 4 in 16 months. With most of world shy of even 2 doses. Which is why Omicron exists.

[Pobeka]

10. 12+ year olds are *already* at 70.1% full vaccination, and it continues to rise (albeit slowly).

5+ is catching up fast as the 5-12 year class couldn't get vaccinated until Oct 29. The 5+ total is 64.3% and climbing steadily.

People have *not* given up. It is not completely one or the other -- I was at a small vaccine event yesterday and 12% of those who came were there for the first dose.

Once people are on the vaccine program they tend to stick with it. So we'll eventually get boosted population close to 70% and beyond. It just takes time...

I think as a nation we'll get around 75% by the end of next year. Many republican rural counties will not get over 30%, or even 20%. S

Nonetheless I wish we were at 85% or 90% total vaccinations for the entire USA.

[LisaL]

15. Those who won't vaccinate will get their immunity the natural way-through infection.

If covid doesn't kill them, that is, and however long the natural immunity lasts.

[Pobeka]

16. I have only seen reports that natural immunity is not as effective or long lasting as a vaccine.

So I guess if you don't get vaxxed you get to play russian roulette over and over and over...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Sure looks that way, and I did rather expect something like this. And I support it. n/t

[oregonjen]

4. I'm confused. Didn't news just come out this morning from Pfizer

saying three doses would work against Omicron?

[iemanja]

6. Yes

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/biontech-pfizer-say-test-shows-3-doses-vaccine-neutralise-omicron-2021-12-08/

But I don't think that speaks to how long the benefits lasts.
The article says Pfizer recommends speeding up the time between second and third doses.

[GP6971]

11. Welcome Back!!

Not really.

[NewHendoLib]

17. damn...did I miss a library girl appearance?

with her unhinged bullshit?

[iemanja]

22. She's back!

See below.

[NewHendoLib]

26. no doubt DU's all star troll (if there was such an award). Odd thing to spend one's time doing

[greenjar_01]

41. The real all stars are the ones who survive

Get to 30,000+ posts, etc.

[GP6971]

24. That's my guess.

I alerted on one of her posts for linking to The Liberty Beacon website. That was a dead giveaway.

[iemanja]

13. future winner of the Herman Cain award

Do let us know when the time comes. We'll send thoughts and prayers.

[iemanja]

21. He was murdered

by Donald Trump.

[NewHendoLib]

25. you get top grades for decades of staying with your insane takes here

entertaining, I guess, in a really twisted way. What a nutcase you are!

[MustLoveBeagles]

35. Thank goodness they're gone

[iemanja]

36. That took a while.

[MustLoveBeagles]

37. I noticed that

MIRT must be busy.

[NewHendoLib]

39. I'm surprised - LG usually is super easy to spot and we can get her out of here fast

I miss MIRTing - hope to get back on with the next switchover

[MustLoveBeagles]

45. I'm considering volunteering for the next round

[Rhiannon12866]

48. You'll be in good company...

See above.

[MustLoveBeagles]

28. Get help

You need it.

[iemanja]

31. that's why you're an unhinged troll

library girl.

[GP6971]

32. Well, it kind of

says the same thing about you...How many times have you been banned in the last 30 days?

[Elessar Zappa]

33. How did you get out of 5th grade?

[GaYellowDawg]

18. I'll take them all.

They come out with boosters, I'm there. Fucking COVID isn't getting me.

[iemanja]

43. Same with me

A little prick in the arm is nothing compared to COVID. Even the aftereffects are short-lived.

[2naSalit]

23. The day after I got my booster shot,

I was talking to a long time friend about it as we both got our shots in the same months but we far from each other these days. He was wondering if the booster would be effective against omicron, I laughed and said, "I expect I'll be getting another shot in ten weeks."
He agreed that was the most likely scenario.

[Raftergirl]

29. I will get any and all boosters.

It’s really not a big deal, imo. I find it silly people are getting their panties all in a twist over boosters.

I get a Prolia shot every 6 months for osteopenia, because I don’t want to get osteoporosis. Been getting it for 5 years.

[greenjar_01]

40. Oh for fuck's sake

[maxsolomon]

47. Not particularly surprising.

It will become endemic, and boosters will be needed just like flu shots are needed.

[roamer65]

49. Since I had Moderna, I will be waiting 12 months for the next shot.

Unless the booster is Omicron specific.