Advisory Committee Recommends '4th Dose' for Elderly... Israel Takes a Cautious Stance

Israel's 'Omicron Spread'... New Cases Rise to 1,400 Range

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Israel has not finalized the specific methods and schedule for the 4th COVID-19 vaccine dose despite recommendations from the vaccine advisory committee and the COVID-19 response team. As a result, there is growing interest in when the 4th dose will begin in Israel.

On the 21st (local time), Israel's vaccine advisory committee and COVID-19 response team recommended the 4th vaccine dose for the elderly and healthcare workers.

However, the Ministry of Health has yet to finalize the specific vaccination methods and schedule. Nahman Ash, the Chief Administrative Officer with final approval authority, is delaying the approval.

According to local media, the Ministry of Health is reviewing UK data regarding symptoms of the Omicron variant.

Earlier, the UK Health Security Agency (HSA) announced research findings that the hospitalization rate of Omicron variant infected patients is 50-70% lower than that of Delta variant infected patients.

Israel, which initially administered the 1st and 2nd doses at the fastest pace during the early COVID-19 vaccine rollout, introduced booster doses worldwide for the first time in July.

Thanks to this, Israel overcame the worst 4th wave without imposing strict measures such as movement restrictions or business closures. However, with the recent spread of Omicron, new confirmed cases have increased from the 400s to the 1400s.

Experts participating in the advisory committee stated that their judgment was based on data showing that immunity formed through the 3rd dose weakens to some extent after 3-4 months, and that breakthrough infections among booster shot recipients are not insignificant.

Additionally, concerns about the spread of the Omicron variant, which is more infectious than the Delta variant, also significantly influenced the recommendation decision.

Meanwhile, the 4th vaccine dose clinical trial, which Sheba Medical Center, Israel's largest medical institution, announced it would conduct on its own medical staff, has not yet proceeded due to the Helsinki Committee, the approval body, withholding approval.

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