Israel Becomes First Country To Offer Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Shot

[appalachiablue]

Axios, By Jacob Knutson, July 12, 2021.

Israel on Monday will begin offering a third dose of Pfizer and BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine as a booster shot for people with weakened immune systems, according to the Times of Israel.

Why it matters: It's the first country to offer booster shots to bolster protection against the rapidly spreading Delta variant. The Israeli Health Ministry is still determining whether an extra shot should be offered to the general public.

Despite a world-leading vaccine rollout, new coronavirus cases have surged in Israel over the past month in part because of the highly contagious Delta variant. Israel's Health Ministry announced last week that the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine had dropped to 64% against all COVID-19 infections, down from 95% in May.

What they're saying: World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday criticized the notion of administering booster doses in high-income countries when many low-income countries are struggling with gaining access to first doses...

More,
https://www.axios.com/israel-vaccine-booster-delta-variant-db5dfb14-3729-496e-9675-26f0b652e498.html

[wnylib]

1. So why not limit boosters to people

with weakened immune systems, like seniors, cancer patients, and other imunocompromized people. At the same time, donate vaccines to countries that need them.

The goal is to limit infections so the virus does not continue to spread and mutate even further.

[appalachiablue]

2. Agree that countries in need should

receive vaccine help, for the benefit of all.

Somewhere I just read that the US is sending supplies to Moldova I think, not sure. There must be additional efforts, one would hope with the millions of people lacking access.

[MyMission]

3. If immunity is reduced

Over time, after 6 months as research has indicated, or due to the Delta variant, it makes sense to have a booster.

The flu shot is developed and administered every year. I suspect the covid shot will be too.