Coronavirus: Israel insists on 4th installment – Predictions to reduce Omicron infections in a week

The Israel will continue to offer a fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccine despite preliminary findings that it is not enough to prevent infections from Omicron mutation, said today Tuesday (18/1) a high-ranking health official and predicted that infections due to this variant would decrease within a week, transmits the APE-MPE.

Israel, the fastest-growing country in terms of vaccinations a year ago, began offering a fourth dose of the vaccine last month – also referred to as the second boost – to the most vulnerable and high-risk groups.

A preliminary study released Monday by an Israeli hospital found that the fourth vaccine dose increases the antibodies to even higher levels than the third, but “probably” this is not enough to prevent infection by the highly contagious Omicron variant.

Health Ministry Director-General Nahman As said the findings were “somewhat surprising” as some people became infected with Omicron after taking the fourth dose.

Protection against serious illness

“But we believe that protection against serious illness, especially for the elderly and vulnerable population, is still available at this dose and therefore I urge people to continue to be vaccinated,” said Nahman As, speaking on Israeli radio. armed forces.

As has happened elsewhere, Israel has seen Covid-19 cases rise sharply due to Omicron. However, he did not record any deaths from the variant and As stated that there has been no increase in the number of intubated patients with Covid-19.

“In another week we will start to see a reduction in numbers, but we still have two or three difficult weeks ahead of us,” he said.