In a discussion held last week, the IDF – the team for treating epidemics in the Ministry of Health – presented preliminary data from another study conducted in Israel and showed that the risk of death or need for resuscitation among corona patients who were hospitalized in four doses was twice as low as in patients with only three Doses of the vaccine, Ido Efrati reported yesterday (Sunday) in time.
Another similar matter
The study, led by the IDF Center, Dr. Tal Brosh from Assuta-Ashdod, shows that the fourth dose also has advantages among those whose condition has already deteriorated to a serious illness. Previous studies have indicated the effectiveness of the fourth dose in preventing serious illness and infection.
In a study based on data from the Ministry of Health, the Gartner Institute and the Weizmann Institute, it was found that the rate of infection among vaccinated people in the fourth dose was twice as low as those vaccinated in three doses. The researchers clarified that the protection against infection faded during the eight weeks of the study.
The study also showed that the fourth vaccine tripled to quadrupled the protection against severe morbidity and mortality among those aged 60 and over compared with those vaccinated in three doses. Data analysis was performed on a population of 1.2 million Israelis over the age of 60 who were entitled to the fourth dose – half of whom actually received it.
During the discussion about the possibility of expanding the fourth vaccine to a younger population, aged 18 and over, 83% of the 35 IDF members who participated in the discussion supported giving the fourth dose to any adult interested. 63% thought that a recommendation should be enough. An explicit and clear recommendation will harm the public’s trust in the vaccine, and the decision should be made by the director general of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Nachman Ash.
Today, at least officially, the Ministry of Health allows a fourth dose for people aged 60 and over as well as at-risk populations and people who are at risk because of possible exposure to the virus during their work. HMOs actually make it possible to receive the fourth dose for anyone interested over the age of 18.
In another issue discussed at the same meeting – giving a third dose of the vaccine to children aged 5-11 – 60% of the team members thought that it had the power to prolong the effect of the first two doses and reduce the effects of long cobid by about 50%. Opponents felt that there was no need for a third dose for children because although this age group has widespread infection but a relatively low risk of serious illness.
Experts from the Ministry of Health predict a renewed increase in morbidity after Passover due to family and social gatherings and vacations abroad. Will be low, the obligation to wear masks indoors may be abolished.