SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS Radio) — Moderna says it aims to make a third booster shot available for its two-dose COVID-19 vaccine by the fall.
“Our goal is to work really hard to get this ready before the fall,” CEO Stephane Bancel told CNBC.
The latest data from Moderna shows that its vaccine remains more than 90% effective against the virus and 95% effective against severe cases for at least six months after the second shot. But it has not yet been shown how long the protection lasts beyond that point.
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The National Institutes of Health began testing a booster shot designed to provide protection against the South African variant B.1.351 last month.
“I want to make sure there are boost vaccines available in the fall so that we protect people as we go into the next fall and winter season in the U.S.," said Bancel.
He believes that eventually, the COVID-19 vaccine booster could become common, similar to annual flu vaccines.
“I anticipate in the next year or so, we’re going to see a lot of variants. But as more and more people get vaccinated or naturally infected, the pace of the variant is going to slow down and the virus is going to stabilize like you see with flu,” he said.
Pfizer’s CEO Albert Bourla also said last week that people will likely need a booster shot six months to a year after finishing the two-dose regimen, with a possibility of yearly boosters beyond that.