Israeli scientists have shown that a booster dose of Pfizer-BioNTech protivokoronavirusnoy vaccine provides four times more protection against infection than two doses for people aged 60 years and older. This publication reports The Washington Post.
The researchers analyzed the effectiveness of the protection given by the third dose of vaccine within ten days after the injection. It was found that the level of protection from severe course of the disease and hospitalization in this case was five to six times higher. Previously, scientists have concluded that a third dose may be needed within 6-12 months after the full vaccination to maintain a high level of protection, since six months after vaccination the immune response is reduced.
At the end of last month, Israel approved booster for people aged 60 years and older, and last week lowered the age limit to 40 years.
Although the World Health Organization criticized rich nations for what they get an advantage in the fight against COVID-19 due to revaccination, while most of the poorer people of the world have not yet received the first dose, USA Vivek Murthy Chief Surgeon (Vivek Murthy) defended the White house plan to offer to make a third dose to people with weakened immune systems, and the end of September to make boosters available to a wider population.