Pfizer CEO urges patience on reopening economies

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla on Wednesday urged global governments not to reopen economies too quickly because of the optimism created by possible COVID-19 vaccines.

“Given the pressure to open the economy, (governments) should not make this mistake...and relax immediately,” said Bourla, speaking at an online business forum hosted by the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.

The 59-year-old executive also said early stages of national vaccination programmes were likely to have a significant impact because they would be directed at vulnerable groups like seniors and health care workers.

Bourla spoke after Britain became the first country to approve a vaccine developed by Pfizer and German biotechnology company BioNTech.