Israel[/B] will go ahead with a second booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for people with compromised immune systems, a senior government health official said today, but a final decision on wider use is still pending.
Trial administration
An Israeli hospital administered fourth doses to a trial group of health workers on Monday as part of what it called the first large-scale study of whether a second round of booster doses would help tackle the Omicron variant. Results are expected in two weeks.
Israel was the country that carried out vaccinations at a very rapid pace a year ago and became one of the first countries to start a booster dose program after noticing that immunity wanes over time.
Omicron concern
Concerned in the face of Omicron's rapid spread, a committee of health ministry experts recommended last week that Israel offer a fourth dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to health workers and citizens over 60 or those with weakened immune systems.
But Health Ministry Director-General Nachman Ash, whose approval is needed to launch a new campaign of booster doses, did not immediately announce a decision, as some experts argued there was insufficient scientific data to justify a fourth dose.
Who will get the 4th dose
During a press conference today, Ash said he decided that a second booster dose would only be offered to immunocompromised people for now and that he would continue to consider whether to broaden eligibility for the booster dose.
"In the face of gaps in knowledge worldwide in the current situation, we are acting with caution and responsibility," Ash stressed."[/p
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