Pfizer boss Albert Bourla has backed an annual Covid vaccine to fight the pandemic.
The chief executive says a yearly vaccination would be preferable to more frequent booster shots, reports Mail Online.
Pfizer/BioNtech's Covid-19 vaccine continues to be effective against severe disease and death caused by the Omicron variant of the virus, but less effective in preventing transmission.
And as cases spread rapidly, booster programmes across the world have been expanded, while some countries have shortened the gap between shots.
But asked in an interview with Israeli TV if he sees booster shots being administered every four to five months on a regular basis, Bourla replied: "This will not be a good scenario. What I'm hoping (is) that we will have a vaccine that you will have to do once a year.
"Once a year - it is easier to convince people to do it. It is easier for people to remember.
'So from a public health perspective, it is an ideal situation. We are looking to see if we can create a vaccine that covers Omicron and doesn't forget the other variants and that could be a solution."
He added that Pfizer could file for approval for a redesigned vaccine to fight Omicron, and be ready to mass produce it, as early as March.
Last week, the US Centres for Disease Control cited three studies in reporting that a third dose of an mRNA vaccine, like the Pfizer one, is key to fighting Omicron, providing 90% protection against hospital admission.
And a preliminary study published by Israel's Sheba Medical Centre found a fourth shot increases antibodies to even higher levels than the third but was likely not enough to fend off Omicron.
Sheba said a second booster was still advised for risk groups.
Meanwhile, CDC director Rochelle Walensky said the organisation would "pivot its language" on Covid vaccination to match that of other vaccines.
"What we really are working to do is pivot the language to make sure that everybody is as up to date with their Covid-19 vaccines as they personally could be, should be, based on when they got their last vaccine," she said.
"That means if you recently got your second dose, you’re not eligible for a booster, you’re up to date. If you are eligible for a booster and you haven’t gotten it, you’re not up to date and you need to get your booster in order to be up to date."
She compared the vaccine to the flu shot, where patients aren't considered "up to date" until they receive a yearly shot.
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