Israel Excludes Cancer Patients from Booster Shot Eligibility

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Israel has decided to exclude cancer patients from the target group for the third dose (booster shot) of the COVID-19 vaccine. This guideline change came about a week after starting booster shot vaccinations for immunocompromised individuals, including cancer patients.

On the 18th (local time), the Israeli Ministry of Health announced, according to AFP, that after reviewing data from hundreds of patients in oncology wards, only two doses of the vaccine are currently recommended for cancer patients.

The Israeli Ministry of Health stated, "About 90% of patients who underwent chemotherapy developed antibodies after two vaccine doses, and antibody levels remained high several months after vaccination," adding, "Moreover, vaccination can cause side effects in tumor treatment."

On the 12th, Israel became the first country in the world to approve booster shot vaccinations and began administering them to immunocompromised individuals such as organ transplant recipients and cancer patients. This was due to concerns that some patients with weakened immunity might not develop sufficient antibodies even after two vaccine doses.

Some cancer patients have already received booster shots. A spokesperson for Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv said, "Since the 12th, dozens of cancer patients have received booster shots."

Meanwhile, the UK plans to start booster shot vaccinations from September targeting people aged 70 and older and healthcare workers, raising concerns about worsening global vaccine inequality. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), expressed opposition, stating, "Many countries have not been able to vaccinate vulnerable groups, yet some countries are ordering millions of booster doses."

Additionally, a study published on the 23rd of last month in the international academic journal New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) showed that in a trial involving 101 organ transplant patients in France, the antibody production rate was only 4% after the first Pfizer vaccine dose, but increased to 40% after the second dose and 68% after the third dose.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.