Pfizer: Covid-19 expected to become endemic by 2024

By 2024, the disease should be endemic around the globe, the company predicted

Covid-19 will transition to an endemic state around the globe by 2024. Pfizer executive said on Friday, meaning the virus will become a constant presence causing regional outbreaks across the globe. Pfizer also said that a lower dose version of its vaccine for 2 to 4-year-olds generated a weaker immune response that expected, potentially delaying authorization

“We believe Covid will transition to an endemic state, potentially by 2024,” Nanette Cocero, global president of Pfizer vaccine said.

Pfizer’s Chief Science Officer Mikael Dolsten also announced that, “the company expects some regions to continue to see the pandemic levels of Covid-19 cases over the next year or two. Other countries will transition to endemic with low, manageable caseloads during the same time period.”

“When and how exactly this happens will depend on the evolution of the disease, how effectively society deploys vaccines and treatments, and equitable distribution to places where vaccination rates are low,” Dolsten added. “The emergence of new variant could also impact how the pandemic continues to play out.”

The comments from Pfizer executives came as the US battles a surge of Covid cases led by the delta variant, while the omicron strain quickly spreads. The seven-day average of the new hospital admissions for Covid-19 jumped 4% from the prior week, Centers for Disease Control Director Rochelle Walensky said on Friday in a White House briefing.

“Stockpiling of the vaccines and Covid treatments such as Pfizer’s oral antiviral pill could be more commonplace as the disease becomes endemic,” Angela Hwang, group president of the Pfizer said.

“Pfizer expects countries will prioritize annual revaccination,” Cocero said.