Let’s wait for science results, says Pfizer’s coordinator on the third dose

Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine clinical trial coordinator in Brazil, Cristiano Zerbini, said in an interview with CNN This Sunday (18), it is necessary to wait for the “science results” to determine whether or not a third dose of the vaccine against the Corona virus is needed.

On Monday (19), Pfizer will begin a study with more than 10,000 volunteers around the world applying what Zerbeni calls a “booster dose” in place of the third dose. He explained that in Brazil, 885 people will participate in the tests – all of whom have already integrated the clinical phase of the country’s Pfizer immunization agent and have been vaccinated for 6 months.

Zerbeni said a key question for the study will be to determine whether a third dose is needed or whether the first two doses are already sufficient to confer immunity against SARS-CoV-2.

The volunteers will be followed for a year, and within two months the researchers should have an interim analysis that will show the effects of the booster dose so far.

Study will show more vaccine efficacy data

According to the researcher, the study, which will be published in the scientific journal “The New England Journal of Medicine” within three weeks, will bring more details about how the immunity of those who were vaccinated with Pfizer were. According to Zerbini, the data shows that:

“We noticed that there was a 6% decrease in efficacy every two months,” he added.

In the interview, Zerbini also mentioned that it is important for the population to continue to follow preventive measures against Covid, such as the use of masks and social distancing, and that people should not take antigen tests or mix different immunization doses, and thus how to choose vaccines.

“I’ve taken Coronavac. As a vaccine researcher at Pfizer, I can’t take it so it doesn’t affect people. I’ve taken two doses of Coronavac and I’m fine. I’m not worried about anything. I feel immune, I don’t run to the lab for a neutralization test. Counter, it just got crazy.”

“Don’t keep testing to see if you’re immune, that’s nonsense. There’s another immunity that’s not measured by tests and not measured by antibodies, and that’s cellular immunity made by T lymphocytes and some B lymphocytes.” “We will obey what is on the government’s agenda. Take the available vaccine, don’t test for nothing, don’t take the opportunity of others.”

The researcher also highlighted that all vaccines available in Brazil, so far, have satisfactory efficacy against virus variants, especially the delta variant, which has caused concern to the world.

“The good news about the vaccines we have here in Brazil is that they are all perfectly effective, and respond to the variants that we have. The alternative that interests us is ours. There is no reason for fanfare.”