BREAKING NEWS: Pfizer says booster shot of its COVID-19 vaccine extends protection and is being updated to target Indian 'Delta' variant Pfizer Inc and its German partner BioNTech says their COVID-19 booster shot extends protection against the disease Levels of neutralizing antibodies were five to 10 times higher than after the standard two doses The companies are planning to tailor their third dose to target the Indian 'Delta' variant directly By Mary Kekatos Acting U.S. Health Editor For Dailymail.Com Published: 22:23 BST, 8 July 2021 | Updated: 22:27 BST, 8 July 2021 Viewcomments Pfizer Inc and its German partner BioNTech announced on Thursday that a booster shot of their COVID-19 vaccine extends protection against the virus. Clinical trials found that the third dose, given six months after the second should, generated levels of neutralizing antibodies five to 10 times higher than the initial two doses. What's more, the companies say they are planning to tweak the booster shot to target the Indian 'Delta' variant directly as it continues to spread across the U.S. The companies said they plan to publish the data soon and submit it for approval to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 'As seen in real world evidence released from the Israel Ministry of Health, vaccine efficacy has declined six months post-vaccination, at the same time that the Delta variant is becoming the dominate variant in the country,' the companies said in a written statement. 'These findings are consistent with an ongoing analysis from the companies' Phase 3 study. 'That is why we have said, and we continue to believe that it is likely, based on the totality of the data we have to date, that a third dose may be needed within six to 12 months after full vaccination.' Pfizer Inc and its German partner BioNTech says their COVID-19 booster shot extends protection against the disease (file image) This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility