On June 10, President Joe Biden met with Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, in St. Ives (England). AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, told Fox that it was possible for a vaccine-resistant strain to emerge.
Bourla stated that Pfizer could create a shot specifically for this variant in 95 days after it was discovered.
According to the CDC director, there are "a few mutations" that could lead to the virus evolving to evade vaccines.
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Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, told Fox News Tuesday that he believes it is "likely" that a vaccine-resistant variant of the coronavirus will eventually emerge.
Bourla stated that scientists work hard to find out if a variant is discovered in the world. "They are investigating to determine if this variant could escape the protection of our vaccine.
"We don't know if there are any, but we think it is possible that one will be identified."
Bourla stated that Pfizer could make new vaccines to combat the variant within three months after it was discovered.
Bourla stated that a process has been developed that allows us to develop a vaccine tailored against this variant within 95 days of identifying a variant.
Experts are divided on the issue of vaccine evasion, although this is not the first time that it has been raised.
"These vaccines work really well in protecting our bodies from severe diseases and death. But the biggest concern is that the next mutation that might emerge – just a few mutations away - could potentially evade vaccines," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Wilensky stated in a July 27 press conference.
Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (UK government advisory panel) stated that higher rates of viral circulation and transmission created "more opportunities for new variants of viruses to emerge."
According to the CDC, 93% of US states had "high levels of community transmission" as at Monday. The number of daily cases has more than quadrupled over the past month.
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Angela Rasmussen is a virologist at University of Saskatchewan, Canada. She told the Telegraph that it was unlikely that a vaccine-resistant strain would be discovered.
Rasmussen stated, "It would require such many mutations in spike protein that it wouldn't work anymore."
You can watch the Bourla video here.
Insider has the original article.
