Israel has become the first nation in the world to provide a third shot of the Pfizer vaccine to people over 60 because of concerns about breakthrough cases of COVID-19 among the fully vaccinated.
The move will make the nation a test case for the effectiveness of a booster shot against the raging delta variant. Israeli President Isaac Herzog, 60, received his third shot on Friday and urged others to follow his example. The third shot will only be given to those who had their second shot at least five months earlier.
Israel’s COVID-19 cases have soared from some 20 daily cases last month to more than 2,000 a day currently, though hospitalizations and deaths have remained relatively low.
Israel has reported some of the most troubling data about the effectiveness of vaccines against the delta variant and over time. The nation has a unique vantage point because it was the first in the world to launch an aggressive vaccination program — in mid-December. Its experiences could well predict what other nations may soon see.
Experts continue to emphasize that vaccinations are the most effective weapon against COVID-19. A British study published last week found that the Pfizer vaccine remained 88% effective against symptomatic cases of the delta variant.
While “preliminary” figures from Israel’s Health Ministry last week showed that the Pfizer vaccine was 91% effective against severe cases of COVID-19 and 88% effective against hospitalization from June 20 to July 17, it was reportedly only 39% effective in warding off all COVID-19 infections and 40% effective against symptomatic cases. That compared to a 95% effectiveness rate from January to April.
In a recent outbreak in Massachusetts, three-fourths of those infected were fully vaccinated, but few required hospitalization.
“The fight against the COVID pandemic is a global fight. The only way we can defeat COVID is together,” said Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. “Together means sharing information, methods, technologies, and actionable steps. Israel is open to sharing all the information we can gain from this bold move.”
Israel had previously come under fire for refusing to provide vaccine does to Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, and only offering a vaccine swap to the Palestinian Authority that fell apart over the offered doses’ expiration dates.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved a third shot.
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