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.
