Israel says booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine improve protection

244
1
Israel says booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine improve protection

Oct 14 Reuters - Israel Health officials on Thursday said that booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine improved severe disease protection in people aged 40 and older, in presentations made to U.S. scientists discussing a booster dose of Moderna's vaccine.

The data was reported at a meeting of outside advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration who are expected to vote on the need for booster shots of the Moderna Inc vaccine later on Thursday. The FDA typically follows expert advice however is not obligated to do so.

If the FDA signs off on Moderna's boosters, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will make specific recommendations on who should get the shots.

What we are seeing is a break in the epidemic curve in Israel, Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis said of public health services at Ministry of Health in Israel.

The booster vaccination program, which now covers 50% percent of the population among all age groups, is beginning to prevent infections https: tmsnrt.rs 34 pvUyi even among the unvaccinated populations in Israel.

Israel, which has been closely monitoring vaccines https: tmsnrt.rs 3 tUM 8 ta in its population, said in a slide presentation that administering a booster dose led to greater protection against confirmed infection in those aged 16 and above.