Israel tests fourth dose of COVID vaccine, awaits authorization from ministry

An Israeli hospital administered the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday to a test group, as the country considers authorizing the measure for vulnerable populations in a bid to overcome an increase in infections driven by the omicron variant.

The study of the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, “will focus on vaccine efficacy in antibody production and safety, to determine if a fourth vaccine is needed overall”Said a spokesperson. The 150 subjects are all part of the medical staff.

A panel of experts from the Ministry of Health recommended last week that Israel to become the first country to offer a fourth dose of vaccine, also known as a second booster dose, to those over 60, those with compromised immune systems, and medical workers.

The proposal was welcomed by the Israeli government, which has battled the immunization stalemate.

But the fourth dose awaits the final approval of the director general of the ministry, Nachman Ash, a doctor whose decision, officials say, will be made without government intervention.

Given concerns about the lack of test data, Ash may modify the eligibility criteria by raising the age threshold to 70 and removing medical workers from the list, Israeli media said.

The Health Ministry has neither confirmed nor denied that, nor has it said when Ash’s decision should be made.

About 63% of Israel’s population of 9.4 million people have received the first two doses of the vaccine, according to ministry data. Almost 45% have also received a third dose or booster shot. About 2,000 confirmed or suspected cases of the omicron variant have been recorded.

Israel was the fastest country to implement the initial vaccines a year ago and became one of the first to observe that immunity waned over time, responding with a widespread booster program.