Pfizer’s Covid-19 Vaccine Might Need a Third Dose to Remain Effective

Pfizer and BioNTech plan to request emergency authorization from the FDA for a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, saying the third shot within six to twelve months of initial vaccination may dramatically boost immunity.

The Delta variant, a highly contagious strain of COVID-19, has raised further questioning about this third dose. While the vaccine has recently been proven to protect against this aggressive strain, the rapid growth in cases of coronavirus across the nation has caused concern among health officials.

While the primary two doses are highly sufficient in creating the antibodies necessary to protect individuals from COVID and its many variants, a third shot may offer additional protection.

Studies are currently ongoing to determine if a third dose is needed.

As Dr. Michael Dolsten explains, antibodies needed to fight the virus generally decline over time – which is why boosters are sometimes needed – and a third dose could cause antibody levels to jump 5 to 10-fold.

In the case of the COVID-19 vaccine, antibody levels begin to lessen between six to twelve months after the initial vaccination.

The CDC and FDA, however, have released a joint statement stating, “Americans who have been fully vaccinated do not need a booster shot at this time.”

The remaining concern is the low percentage of the U.S. population fully vaccinated. Only 48 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, and unvaccinated individuals are at a significantly higher risk for the Delta strain.

Researchers in France determined those with only the first dose of the vaccine “barely inhibited” the delta variant, while those who received both doses had immunity strong enough to neutralize the strain.

Pfizer and BioNTech will officially ask for emergency authorization in August. 

RA Staff

Written by RA News staff.

Recent Posts

Wall Street South? Texas Launches Bold Bid with New Stock Exchange

A bold new financial chapter is unfolding…

18 hours ago

Nearly 900 Texans Rescued After Catastrophic Flooding in Kerr County, Death Toll Rises

At least 32 people are dead and many more remain missing — including children from…

1 day ago

Texas Bets on Bitcoin: A Strategic Play for Financial Innovation

In a move that has drawn national…

2 days ago

Elon Musk’s $50K House vs. His Nearly $70K Cybertruck

Elon Musk, a figure with billion-dollar ventures…

2 days ago

Delta-8 vs. Delta-9: Why Texas’ Marijuana Dispensaries Say They Can’t Compete

Texas' medical marijuana industry entered 2025’s legislative…

3 days ago

Paxton drops appeal: Texas to pay $6.6 million to whistleblowers

Texas will pay $6.6 million to four former top deputies to Attorney General Ken Paxton…

3 days ago

This website uses cookies.