Pfizer, Moderna could reap billions from booster shots
Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna have already locked up over $60 billion in sales for this year and next from their COVID-19 vaccines. But now, they stand to make billions more.
Analysts forecast Pfizer and its German partner, BioNTech could earn revenue of over $6.6 billion in 2023 and Moderna, $7.6 billion - mostly from sales of booster shots. They say the market for boosters could rival the $6 billion in annual sales for flu vaccines. And that’s for years to come.
The vaccine makers say fully inoculated people will need an extra dose to maintain protection and fend off new variants. They say that after six months, antibody levels wane in vaccinated people.
Now, a growing number of countries have decided to offer booster shots to older citizens and people with weak immune systems.
Moderna’s president says that at some point, COVID-19 vaccines will become “a more traditional market.”
Pfizer declined to comment. But two weeks ago, executives told investors they believe a third dose will be necessary 6 to 8 months after vaccination, and regularly afterward.
