Israeli Health Official Says "Fourth Dose Will Be Needed Someday"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] A senior official of the Israeli government, which was the first in the world to introduce the COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, stated that the fourth dose is inevitable. The immunity gained from vaccination decreases over time, making the fourth dose an unavoidable step.

According to local media such as Ynet on the 22nd (local time), Professor Nachman Ash, the Chief Administrative Officer of the Israeli Ministry of Health, said at a press briefing the day before, "Since the immunity acquired through the vaccine decreases over time, we will have to get the fourth dose at some point," adding, "It is just a matter of time."

He also said, "Because the immunity from the booster shot does not last for several years, people will need to get vaccinated from time to time," and added, "For now, we only hope that the booster shot's effectiveness lasts more than a year."

Israel secured supplies from Pfizer in December last year and conducted the first and second doses at the fastest pace in the world. Subsequently, in June, it introduced the With Corona policy and eased quarantine measures. However, as the Delta variant spread and new confirmed cases increased again, the Israeli government introduced the booster shot in July.

The number of new confirmed cases, which once exceeded 11,000 by mid-September, rapidly decreased after the booster shot was implemented, recently stabilizing at around 400 to 500 cases, with severe patients and deaths also sharply declining.

However, with the onset of the full winter season, the infection reproduction number has exceeded 1, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation.

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