Israel Study: Fourth Vaccine Dose Can’t Prevent Omicron Infection

Four mRNA shots raise Covid-19 antibody levels, but there are “still a lot of infections” in those who received either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 – A study in Israel, the first of its kind globally, shows that a fourth Covid-19 vaccine jab does not stop infection by the Omicron variant.

The landmark study by Sheba Medical Center showed that a fourth coronavirus vaccine dose of either Pfizer or Moderna boosted antibodies to a higher level than after the third shot.

“However, we see many infected with Omicron who received the fourth dose. Granted, a bit less than in the control group, but still a lot of infections,” lead researcher Prof Gili Regev-Yochay was quoted saying by The Times of Israel.

“The bottom line is that the vaccine is excellent against the Alpha and Delta [variants], for Omicron it’s not good enough,” she added.

According to Reuters, Israel’s Sheba Medical Center looked at the effects of second booster jabs among its staff, where 154 people received a fourth Pfizer dose and 120 people received a Moderna booster after three Pfizer doses. 

These groups were compared to a control group that only received three Pfizer doses. Both Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vaccines.

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