Largely Vaccinated Israel Shocks The World With Higher COVID-19 Cases
Israel was a poster country for its quick vaccination process. It raced to quickly sign a deal with Pfizer and distribute the vaccinations to its citizens. The country “followed the science” and quickly got vaccinated but unfortunately COVID-19 had other plans for Israelis. While over 70% of the population in Israel is fully vaccinated, it is seeing a significant increase in its COVID-19 cases.
What is the country of Israel to do?
The country seems as it does not want to go back into lockdown as that does not seem viable from an economic or political standpoint. Still, it is recording a higher number of COVID-19 cases. Reports indicate that while COVID-19 transmission seems low, Israel has still went right back to masks and some restrictions. The country notes that daily cases have surpassed its prior peak and has hit around 12,000 cases. Morbidity in the country is quite low, a trend that is seen in many areas around the world. Still, the country is seeing more hospitalizations.
Israel Study Shows that Pfizer Biontech Vaccine is Only 16% Effective
This recent study by Israel is quite startling indeed. Everyone automatically assumed that the vaccines would automatically save the day and provide full protection as President Biden and others have noted. But then, some are walking back this language. Further research is showing that immunity gained through immunization will likely deplete rapidly each month.
The studies suggest that the vaccine may provide protection and keep people out of hospitals and decrease the severity of the sickness. But at the same time, questions linger around the extent of protection as deaths due to COVID-19 are still present for a portion of the fully vaccinated.
Israel Goes To Boosters
If two vaccine shots work and then deplete, then what’s the solution? Go for a third shot. Israel rolled out boosters or a third shot for those over 60 by late July. The country is now quickly rolling out these boosters or third vaccine shots to more age groups (30 and up). Israelis must first obtain their first and second shot, then wait five months to get the third shot.
Again, Israeli health specialists did note that severe cases are largely down and that they attribute this to vaccines. While some doctors like Harvey Risch, a Yale educated doctor have noted that the delta variant and other variants of COVID-19 may be more contagious but that they may not have as much severity.
