Mid-Missouri continues to see low transmission levels as Pfizer could introduce updated booster
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Pfizer announced Saturday that they could be rolling out an updated booster after updating two vaccines targeting the Omicron variant. CNN reported the company said the modified boosters showing a higher immune response to the variant.
According to reports, the company tested a vaccine that targets Omicron BA.1 subvariant and bivalent booster which targets two strains, that include the current Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine and a vaccine candidate that targets Omicron.
The investigation looked at two different dose levels, 30 micrograms and 60 micrograms, in more than 1,200 adults age 56 and older. Pfizer says, after evaluating dose levels, a fourth booster with the omicron-modified vaccine resulted in a greatly higher immune response against the variant.
Pfizer Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Albert Bourla, says based on their data, they believe they have something stronger.
“Based on these data, we believe we have two very strong Omicron-adapted candidates that elicit a substantially higher immune response against Omicron than we’ve seen to date. We look forward to discussing these data with the scientific community and health authorities so we may rapidly introduce an Omicron-adapted booster as soon as possible if authorized by regulators," said Bourla.
Pfizer says they plan to share their results with the U.S. Food and Drug administration and others between June 28th and 30th.
Back in Missouri Mid-Mo still remain in a low transmission state for COVID-19 levels. However, there recently have been over 10,500 cases announced this week, as well as 816 people hospitalized with the virus.
Of those hospitalized, 72 people are in the ICU. 9 counties are now reported to be in the red category and 33 counties are in the yellow category.
The CDC says to provide yourself the best protection against COVID-19, its best to wash hands often, get vaccinated wear a mask, and get tested if you think you have symptoms.
