Albert Bourla says one more shot is necessary to preempt any new variants.

COVID-19 cases remain on a downward trend in the United States. While many are still being sickened and dying, the proliferation of vaccines has lowered the numbers drastically, and the most recent booster shot has helped get us through the worst of the recently-emerged Delta and Omicron variants. Even so, the coronavirus is still a live threat, with potential variants of interest emerging all over the world. To preemptively halt fresh waves, one last vaccine shot may be necessary, at least according to Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla.

“Many variants are coming, and Omicron was the first one that was able to evade — in a skillful way — the immune protection that we’re giving,” Bourla told CBS over the weekend.

“The protection we are getting from the third (dose) it is good enough — actually quite good for hospitalizations and deaths,” Bourla said.

However, while the current vaccination effort has taped down serious cases, the ultimate goal is a halt to infections, or at least a lessening.

“It is necessary, a fourth [dose] for right now,” Bourla said.

Currently, those in severe risk categories such as the elderly or immunocompromised can already receive a fourth shot, but it is not authorized for the general public by the FDA or CDC. Pfizer is currently conducting new tests on improved vaccines, and will be submitting requests to these agencies in the near future.