Pfizer CEO: Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Will Likely Be Needed Within 12 Months

One of the unanswered questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccines is whether they will provide longer, durable protection. Or, alternately, will people need to receive a booster shot every year, like we do with the annual influenza shots?

Although the data is not there, Pfizer’s chief executive officer, Albert Bourla, recently said he thought people will “likely” need a booster dose of a vaccine within 12 months of getting fully vaccinated. It’s possible, he also said, they will need to be vaccinated annually.