Kaya News Reporter
Pfizer’s CEO Albert Bourla confirms that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine’s efficiency shows a steady decline after 6 months of the second dose being administered.
According to the company, data from Israel shows a drop in immunity from 96% to 84% between 4 to 6 months. Initial studies showed the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine protected people 100% against hospitalisation, these odds have since dropped to under 80% after 6 months.
The data was released in a preprint and is yet to be reviewed by other scientists but included 44,000 volunteers. In April Pfizer’s CEO maintained that the vaccine remained highly effective after 6 months and appeared to be the best chance against various strains of the Covid-19 virus.
The latest contradictory research means there’s a possibility the third required booster may also show signs of decline. At the current rate the virus is performing against the Covid-19 virus, it could mean the efficacy rate could decline to below 505 within 18 months of receiving the vaccine.
Despite the latest declaration from Pfizer, the South African government is continuing with the vaccine rollout programme and Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi calls for all eligible South Africans to take the COVID-19 vaccination.
Early last week over 2000 cases were reported to the South African Health Products and Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) with reported side effects that have different categories in terms of seriousness and not-so-serious adversities.
The regulatory authority then issued a statement that all vaccines underwent rigorous clinical trials before they were cleared and issued as safe to use in the country.
This statement is reaffirmed by SAHPRA’s Vigilance Manager Mafora Matlala who says, “when we look at the adverse events that we have received so far in the system, they are quite few, with just over 2 000, compared to the doses that have been administered so far, which is about 9.5 million as of Tuesday, 17 August. The benefits of these vaccines actually do outweigh the risks that may be out there,” she said.



