Israel started giving a fourth dose to vulnerable people

Israel began giving a fourth dose of the vaccine to vulnerable people on Friday, December 31, in the hope of mitigating the effects of a new wave of pollution linked to the spread of the Omicron type. The green light was given by the health authorities the day before, and it concerns immunocompromised people. For example, doses have already been given to patients who have had heart transplants.

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In addition, Sheba Hospital, located on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, began a clinical trial on Monday by administering a fourth dose of the vaccine to caregivers. Gillie Regev Yochai, director of the Division of Infectious Diseases, added that giving a fourth dose will assess the potential rise in antibodies and the emergence of side effects, and will determine whether it reduces the risk of infection. “We actually got good results with the third dose, which did not cause side effects other than mild local pain.” said infectious disease specialist Galia Rahaf. “We can’t wait to see the response to this fourth dose.”

Shortly after the vaccination of immunocompromised persons began, the Director of the Department of Health, Nachman Asch, authorized the immediate administration of a fourth dose to residents of nursing homes and patients in geriatric departments. “This decision was taken after fears of an increase in the number of infections in these institutions that put the health of these people at risk.”set by the Ministry of Health

The number of reported cases every day is about a hundred. But within ten days, that number could rise to 15,000 or even 20,000, according to researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In a country of 9.2 million people, where more than half of the population has already received a booster dose, severe cases are currently concentrated in unvaccinated people, according to data from authorities.