The fourth vaccination dose with the preparation from Biontech / Pfizer increases the number of antibodies against the new corona variant Omikron five-fold within a week, according to an Israeli study. The Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett presented these results on Tuesday during a visit to the Shiba Hospital near Tel Aviv together with the study director Gili Regev. “The fourth vaccination is safe and effective,” said Bennett.
However, the level of increase in antibodies does not automatically indicate the extent to which the actual protection against infection or disease is improved. Israel had already started a vaccination campaign on Monday for people over 60 and medical staff who can now receive a fourth dose of vaccine. Around 10,000 Israelis had already been vaccinated with the fourth dose, and around 100,000 had made an appointment, said Bennett.
The fourth vaccination for people with immunodeficiency began in Israel on Friday. The second booster was also allowed in care facilities for seniors. The Schiba Hospital near Tel Aviv started a study on the fourth vaccination against the coronavirus with the vaccine from Pfizer / Biontech more than a week ago. The clinic announced interim results on Sunday: The side effects are similar to those after the third dose.
Israel has already passed the fourth corona wave, but the number of infections has recently increased massively again. The Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday that 10,720 new cases had been registered within 24 hours. The number of seriously ill rose slightly to 117.
Only around 61 percent of the 9.4 million Israelis are still considered fully vaccinated. These are twice vaccinated up to six months after the second vaccination and people with booster vaccination. 30 percent of the population are not vaccinated at all, with nine percent the vaccination has already expired.