Health officials weighing whether to wait for 3rd vaccine dose tailored to Delta
Public health chief Sharon Alroy-Preis said on Saturday that officials were debating whether to offer a third booster shot to Israelis, or to wait for a vaccine that is specifically tailored for the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
“We are checking if we should give a third dose, or whether we should wait for a vaccine against Delta,” the head of public health at the Health Ministry told Channel 12.
The comment came after a health ministry committee on vaccines reportedly voted on Thursday against recommending a third booster shot for the elderly, saying it would be more effective to wait for a vaccine specifically targeting the Delta variant that is being developed by Pfizer.
According to the report by the Kan public broadcaster, the committee members said that even though the effectiveness of the vaccines appears to be wearing off, it would be more effective to wait for a booster shot tailored to the strain. The final decision will now go to Health Ministry director-general Nachman Ash.
Last week, Israel began administering booster doses to those with weakened immune systems, including heart, liver and kidney transplant patients, despite the lack of approval from overseas regulatory agencies.
But Health Ministry officials have indicated that third doses for the general population are not imminent, stressing that the vaccine remains largely effective.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/health-officials-weighing-whether-to-wait-for-3rd-vaccine-dose-tailored-to-delta/