An Israeli hospital today administered fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccine to a group of people, while the country is considering adopting the measure for vulnerable groups in an effort to stem the rise in infections due to the Omicron variant.
A study by Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan outside Tel Aviv will “target the vaccine’s antibody effectiveness and safety in assessing whether a fourth vaccine is generally needed,” a spokesman said. The 150 participants are members of the medical staff.
A team of health ministry experts last week recommended that Israel become the first country to offer a fourth dose of the vaccine to people over the age of 60, people with weakened immune systems and health care workers.
The Israeli government welcomed the proposal. However, the fourth tranche must have the final approval of the director general of the ministry, Nahman As, a doctor, whose decision, according to officials, will be taken without the intervention of the government.
Given concerns about the lack of test data, As may change the criteria for those who can take the dose, raising the age limit to 70 and excluding health professionals, according to Israeli media.
63% of the 9.4 million Israelis have received the first two doses of the vaccine, according to ministry figures. About 45% have also received a third – or boost – dose. Approximately 2,000 confirmed or suspected Omicron cases have been reported.
Israel was the country that first released the first vaccines a year ago, and was one of the first to notice that immunity was declining over time.
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Source From: Capital
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