Pfizer's CEO Did Not Call for Mandatory Vaccination
The Claim
Pfizer’s CEO, Albert Bourla, said that governments worldwide must speed up the process of giving the third dose (booster shot) of the COVID-19 vaccine, even by force.
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Emerging story
Social media accounts have recently circulated a piece of news alleging that Pfizer’s CEO, Mr. Albert Bourla, said that governments around the world must speed up the process of giving the third dose (booster shot) of the COVID-19 vaccine, even by force. The claim also alleges that Mr. Bourla said that mandatory vaccination must continue at all costs and that a fourth dose is needed. The claim adds that this fourth dose would have to be enforced even sooner than expected.
Photo Description: The screenshots show the alleged photos shared on Meta (Facebook) and Twitter.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulated claim and found it misleading. Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s CEO, did not say that governments should speed up the process of giving third and fourth booster shots for COVID-19, even by force.
What Bourla said on Wednesday, December 8, was that people might need a fourth dose of the vaccine sooner than expected after preliminary research showed that the new Omicron variant could undermine the protective antibodies produced by the vaccine developed by Pfizer and Biotech.
Albert Bourla also added that, based on preliminary results of a study conducted by Pfizer and Biotech, the third dose of the vaccine is effective in combating the Omicron variant, while only two doses of the vaccine are not enough to counter the new variant. However, the two doses are likely enough to prevent any diseases resulting from the new variant.
Both Pfizer and Biotech have confirmed that the vaccine is indeed effective at three doses against the Omicron variant.
The World Health Organization said that the Omicron variant had been detected in 63 countries so far, which means that it is spreading much faster than the Delta variant. The WHO also confirmed that the two-dose vaccination system is less effective but can still limit the severity of symptoms.
Translated by Ahmed N. A. Almassri
