Thread by @DrEricDing

EFFICACY DROP—New Israel 🇮🇱 Health Ministry data show that 2-doses Pfizer vaccine against #DeltaVariant over the past month is now just 64% effective in preventing #COVID19 infection. In constrast in May, before #DeltaVariant prevalent, vaccine was 94%. 🧵
timesofisrael.com/ministry-data-…

2) Meanwhile, another study from researchers at the Hebrew University and Hadassah University Medical Center indicated that the Pfizer vaccine is 60-80% effective against infection from the #DeltaVariant.

3) The Delta variant, which is believed to be twice as contagious as the original strain of COVID-19, is thought to be responsible for 90% of new cases in Israel over the past two weeks.

4) The Health Ministry figures report that the vaccine is still considerably effective against preventing serious symptoms and hospitalization. However, in May that figure stood at 98%—but has since fallen during June to 93% hospitalization efficacy. Still good, but not perfect.

5) Are hospitalizations increasing now in Israel? Yes, up “like clockwork” says @JeffSmithi24. Israel is 60% 2-dose Pfizer fully vaccinated. No other country has vaccinations higher than 🇮🇱. This, #DeltaVariant is a threat to every country right now. Leadership pay attention.

https://twitter.com/jeffsmithi24/status/1411935532393897987

6) As long time follower know, I’m the biggest advocate of vaccines. But I believe we need more aggressive measures against the #DeltaVariant given how fast, serious, and more evasive it is. We need masks for the vaccinated. And better ventilation and indoor air quality.

https://twitter.com/jeffsmithi24/status/1411971168840699906

7) Israel is now actively considering adding a 3rd dose based in their recent health ministry discussions. UK is soon starting 3rd dose as well for age 50+ in September.

https://twitter.com/drericding/status/1411534742718124032

8) Meanwhile, in less vaccinated America, most people are asleep and not understanding the menace the #DeltaVariant poses. This is not fearmongering—this is being precautionary so that we can all **avoid lockdowns** by acting early!!

https://twitter.com/DrEricDing/status/1411666430756638726

9) Another Israel 🇮🇱 finds 70% efficacy against #DeltaVariant — this was the earlier mentioned study finding 60-80%.

So both studies now confirm each other and indicate 64-70% efficacy against Delta— much much lower than before
timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry…

10) We absolutely cannot have a “let her rip” attitude with the #DeltaVariant. This is what got us the Delta in the first place.

https://twitter.com/scottishwormboy/status/1411952287132618752

11) Israel govt really concerned about the huge drop in vaccine efficacy (they use Pfizer) from 90s to now just 64% against #DeltaVariant. Israel has not decided on 3rd dose yet. But still mulling it.

haaretz.com/amp/israel-new…

12) 4 out of 4 family members infected recently… 3 out of 4 fully vaccinated, but still positive. These stories repeating over and over. The 100% household infection rate also noted before by Australia health officials. After seeing so many such reports, this is a clear pattern.

https://twitter.com/johnpavlovitz/status/1412169747865620481

13) some folks are confused why UK had higher 2 dose efficacy for Pfizer against #DeltaVariant. Let me explain, the 83% (Scotland) & 88% (England) were for *symptomatic* Delta #COVID19. But for total Delta infections—🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 only found 79%. And Scotland had masks, while Israel didn’t.

https://twitter.com/drericding/status/1409277821713793027

14) Hence Israel’s 64% total infection efficacy against #DeltaVariant dominant Israel in June make sense. The efficacy is now definitely much lower between 64-79% the previous. I think total infection efficacy is more important than symptomatic efficacy because of unvaxxed risk.

15) reminder than 1 dose even worse. Dr Fauci also warned recently about 1 dose inadequacy: “The problem you get into … is that a single dose only provides about ~30% effectiveness [against #DeltaVariant]—so that is really an issue you gotta be careful”