Israel is the first country in the world to start a third corona vaccination. The booster vaccinations are actually not yet approved.
Jerusalem – While many countries are debating whether a third dose of booster vaccination is necessary, Israel * has already made a decision. As the first country in the world, it has been vaccinating since Sunday, August 1st, everyone is interested in residents aged 60 and over, who received their second vaccination dose at least five months ago.
In particular, the spread of the Delta variant prompted Israel to offer a third dose of vaccine to the elderly. The aim is to protect the elderly and particularly at risk from the severe course of the disease. Initially, people with immunodeficiency had received a third dose of vaccine since mid-July, for example due to an organ transplant, cancer or kidney failure. In addition to the third vaccination for people over 60, vaccinations for five to eleven year olds, who are considered risk patients, have also started.
Coronavirus booster vaccination actually not yet approved
After Pfizer and Biontech * pointed out that studies have shown that a third dose of their vaccine “has a neutralizing effect on the Delta variant”, Israel rushes ahead with booster vaccinations. And this despite the fact that Israeli experts had warned that the benefits and risks of a third-party vaccination had not yet been adequately researched. So far, they have not been approved in the USA * or in the EU.
Apparently the Israeli government hopes to be able to avoid a new lockdown with the help of the third-party vaccinations. “The economy must remain open,” said Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz on the Israeli television broadcaster Channel 12. “I want to avoid a lockdown at all costs.” That’s why everything stays open, but masks and vaccinations are necessary. – “but we need masks and we need vaccines *.”
In Israel, for example, the mask requirement for interiors applies again. If you want to visit sports halls, restaurants or hotels, you also have to prove your vaccination again.
Hundreds of people demonstrated in Tel Aviv against the government’s new measures on Saturday. Some waved a banner that read “There is no pandemic, it is a hoax”. The vaccines were linked to the Third Reich on a poster.
Covid-19 case numbers in Israel rise again
While the country was able to bring the virus relatively well under control with the help of the rapid vaccination campaign, the number of cases * rose sharply again with the spread of the highly contagious delta virus. On Saturday (July 31, 2021), the Ministry of Health reported 2435 new infections within 24 hours – a new high since March. 326 infected people had to be hospitalized, more than since April.
According to data from Tuesday (August 3rd, 2021), 3818 new cases had been confirmed the day before. There are currently 22,345 Covid patients in Israel, 221 of whom are said to be seriously ill.
Almost 60 percent of the 9.3 million inhabitants of Israel are fully vaccinated against the virus. But recently the Israeli Ministry of Health published figures that the effectiveness of the vaccine from Biontech / Pfizer * has declined sharply since the beginning of June. Accordingly, the vaccination prevents a Covid 19 infection only 39 percent, but serious disease courses 91 percent.
Third coronavirus vaccination also decided in Germany
In Germany, the health ministers of the federal states have also decided on Corona * booster vaccinations for risk groups. The resolution stipulates that the very old, those in need of care and high-risk patients, for example with immunodeficiency or immunosuppression, should receive third-party vaccinations. Nursing homes and similar facilities should be provided with vaccinations by mobile teams, and those affected who live at home should contact their treating doctor. The third vaccination should take place at the earliest six months after the date of full vaccination protection. With the vaccine from Biontech / Pfizer, for example, this occurs two weeks after the second vaccination dose.
It was also decided that adolescents and children from the age of twelve should receive vaccination offers across the board. Vaccination centers and other low-threshold offers are responsible for the vaccinations. However, medical information and the consent of the guardians are necessary. “This can contribute to a safer start to teaching and learning after the summer vacation,” says the decision.
“Even 12 to 17-year-old children and adolescents who decide to have a vaccination after medical advice can protect themselves and others with a vaccination,” said Health Minister Jens Spahn. “That is why it is good that the countries also want to offer this age group a vaccination offer as low as possible.” (Tanja Koch with dpa / afp) * fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
List of rubric lists: © Oded Balilty / dpa
