Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla on Monday said a vaccine that targets the Omicron variant of COVID-19 will be ready in March, and the company has already begun manufacturing the doses.
"This vaccine will be ready in March," Bourla told CNBC. "We [are] already starting manufacturing some of these quantities at risks."
Bourla said the vaccine will also target the other variants that are circulating. He said it is still not clear whether or not an omicron vaccine is needed or how it would be used, but Pfizer will have some doses ready since some countries want it ready as soon as possible.
"The hope is that we will achieve something that will have way, way better protection particularly against infections, because the protection against the hospitalizations and the severe disease - it is reasonable right now, with the current vaccines as long as you are having let's say the third dose," Bourla said.
Bourla said it's not clear whether a fourth dose is needed. He said Pfizer will conduct experiments to determine if another dose is necessary.
Source: CNBC