A study conducted in Sheba shows the effectiveness of the vaccine • Seniors in hospitals support the British model • The Ministry of Health clarified: "Those who received a first dose will also take the second"
Prof. Regev-Yohai is vaccinated, two weeks ago
Photography:
Gideon Markovich
Preliminary results from a serology study conducted among 400 Sheba Tel Hashomer workers who were vaccinated at the hospital two weeks ago show that more than 50% of the workers who were vaccinated developed antibodies, which indicate that they are vaccinated against corona.
Last week it was found that only 2-1 percent of the subjects developed antibodies, while this week, out of 100 tests that have already been deciphered, in 50 of them an increase in the level of antibodies was found.
Vaccination of medical staffs // Archive photo: Yoni Rickner, Shmuel Buharis, Newsenders
These results are similar to the results of Pfizer's study, which found that the vaccine provides 52% protection in the two weeks after receiving the first dose.
It should be noted that the company announced yesterday (Monday) that there is no proof that the first vaccine cream is effective 21 days after taking it.
This is a contradiction of the claims of the British medical community, which recently recommended that the government focus on as many starters as possible for the general population.
Commenting on the results of the day, a senior at the hospital said: "It is better to postpone the second dose of the vaccine for one month and allow another 1.5 million people to be vaccinated, thus reaching the end of the epidemic."
Pfizer vaccine production // Archive photo: Reuters
Against the background of the extensive coverage of the issue in recent days, the Ministry of Health has issued a clarification statement: "Anyone who has received a first dose of corona virus vaccine will also take the second dose saved during the first dose. The only exceptions are people who became ill after receiving the first vaccine."
"It is better to postpone the second dose"
"This is good news with a lot of light at the end of the tunnel," said Prof. Gili Regev-Yohai, director of the Infection Prevention and Control Unit, regarding the study.
"50% of the population is still not enough, and we will wait to see what happens after the third week. This means that after two weeks there is already some protection. This does not mean that you do not need the extra dose, the booster. After two weeks there is a good amount of antibodies, but We still need to be careful and continue to wear masks. "
Prof. Regev-Yohai said that she supports the idea that the vaccination campaign will continue in Israel in the first dose, when the second dose will be given at a later date.
Simulation in Sheba, ahead of the vaccination operation // Archive photo: Gil Kramer
"This is an idea that Prof. Itamar Grotto talked about and is supported by researchers from Harvard, including world expert Mark Lifshitz. There is no question that in the long run a second vaccine is needed, there is no Kholkin and no question. Was Pfizer's study. Given a special situation in Israel of a month in which the population will not be vaccinated, it is better to postpone taking the second dose in one month and allow another 1.5 million people to be vaccinated - and thus reach an end to the epidemic faster. A month of postponement, there is no harm in this and the significance of eradicating the plague is greater, "she emphasized.
However, Prof. Regev-Yohai noted that the second dose should not be postponed for more than a month, because then the consequences are unknown.
"Right now the epidemic and the general vision are more important than the personal evidence that one person or another will be vaccinated. There are no consequences for a month's delay. In the UK we talk about a few months, and then there may already be a decline in the immune system."
