Cautious optimism in Israel boosts action

There is cautious optimism in Israel that the booster campaign, in which older Israelis are given a third dose of the Pfizer-Covid vaccine, has proven effective against the delta variant, as the number of serious Covid cases is declining, although overall new infections remain. Height. Computational biologist at Weizmann Institute of Science Professor Eran Segal tweeted today, “For the fifth consecutive day, the doubling rate has been broken for the number of critically ill people. This morning there are 594 critically ill people but at the previous rate there was expected to be today. 768. The trend is good but we have to wait and see that it continues. One result is clear. Go and get vaccinated.” Despite the fact that nearly 5.5 million of Israel’s 9.3 million residents (the vast majority of the adult population) have received Two doses of vaccination, the Delta type has spread this month, and there is clear evidence that the effectiveness of vaccination is waning. Recent data from the Israeli Ministry of Health found that the Pfizer vaccine for someone over 65 vaccinated in January had less than 55% against severe disease and hospitalization, compared to 95% in January. As a result, Israel began vaccinating Israelis over the age of 60 with a third dose of the Pfizer-Covid vaccine at the end of July. The rollout was extended to over 50s last week and today for people over 40. 1.27 million Israelis have already received a third injection and initial results are encouraging. There have been nearly 8,000 new cases per day over the past week, up from nearly 6,000 last week, yet despite this 33% rise, the daily average of serious cases has fallen from 102 to 88. It appears that this Supports claims that the booster works. There is also cautious optimism that the decline in the efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine given six months ago is due to time elapsed rather than the ability of the delta variant to evade the vaccine. But more data is needed in this regard. Meanwhile, just as the world, or at least that part of it fortunate enough to receive an adequate supply of the vaccine, witnessed Israel’s great success at the beginning of the year, and was encouraged by the country’s ability to quell the third wave of Covid in the winter, now the world is watching anxiously as it sweeps Variable Delta Israel. In an editorial this week titled “Israel’s Alarming Fourth Wave,” the Financial Times said, “Since late last year, Israel has been a laboratory for the world. After winning early access to BioNTech/Pfizer jab supplies in exchange for sharing data on its effects, Israel was the first A country celebrating the full reopening of its economy after a double-whammy of 70% of its adult population by early April. Now, one of the world’s most vaccinated countries is among the first to see an alarming fourth wave of infections – and hospitalizations – and are rushing to give booster doses. The rest of the world takes notice.” Related Articles The Israeli Ministry of Health approves a third strike in Israel, which is considering a booster injection as Covid cases increase. The Financial Times noted that the Biden administration in the US has recommended booster doses from next month, in part after looking at Israeli data, and the UK is also planning a booster campaign. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, determined to avoid a closure during next month’s Jewish holidays, is investing heavily politically in the success of the reinforcements. When boosters have been open for more than 40 years today, Bennett, 49, went to Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba to get an injection. Bennett said, “Israel is the pioneer of the third dose of vaccines. We are seeing profound efficacy of the vaccines, they work and are safe. You can protect yourselves, your livelihood, our economy, our security and the health of our children. We can beat Delta, but it is up to our entire cooperation.” Published by Globes, Israel business newsen.globes.co.il – August 20, 2021 Copyright Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2021