Israelis over the age of 60 who have gotten vaccinated against the coronavirus with four doses are 64% less likely to develop serious disease compared to their triple-vaccinated peers, a new study by Clalit Health Services published Wednesday found.
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It also showed a 61% reduction in symptomatic infection and a 76% decrease in deaths among participants who had received all four shots recommended by the Health Ministry.
Researchers analyzed the data of 182 elderly Israelis who have been fully vaccinated and a similar number of people who had only been immunized with three shots, the latest of which was administered at least four months prior.
The study, which was published in The New England Journal of Medicine, is the most comprehensive study on the effects of the fourth vaccine jab to date. It was conducted between January 3 and February 18, when the Omicron variant was widespread in Israel.
"The results clearly demonstrate that the fourth vaccine dose provides significant protection against coronavirus complications, including a four-fold decrease in the risk of mortality," Professor Ran Balicer, Clalit's chief innovation officer, said. As such, "they can help each person make an informed decision about the need to get vaccinated based on personal risks."
In related news, the Health Ministry reported 4,733 new cases on Thursday morning, after screening 57,308 Israelis in the past 24 hours. The infection rate stands at 8.26%.
There are 41,182 active cases in the country with 605 patients hospitalized. Of those, 221 are in serious condition. Currently, 21,794 Israelis are in quarantine.
Thus far, 793,453 Israelis have been vaccinated with four vaccine doses, 4,483,247 with three, 6,132,480 with two, and 6,705,214 have received one shot.
Israel has reported 4,019,631 COVID cases, including 10,601 deaths, since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020.
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