Thread by @DrEricDing

📍THIRD SHOTS BEGUN—Israel’s 🇮🇱 Ministry of Health began offering a third dose of Pfizer vaccine to severely immunocompromised adults—likely the first phase to provide booster shots for older people and the most vulnerable, amid #DeltaVariant surge. 🧵
washingtonpost.com/world/israel-v…

2) “The recommendation clarified that the goal of the new program was to raise antibody levels among immunocompromised citizens — including cancer patients and recipients of liver transplants, and others who data shows have recently exhibited weakened vaccine protection”

3) “The decision comes as Israel, which was among the fastest to vaccinate and among the first in the world to begin reopening in the spring, is experiencing a surge in new cases, spurred by the prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant first identified in India.

4) “Over the past month, infection rates in Israel have spiked from single digits to around 450 a day.”

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced he has coordinated a fast-tracked delivery of the next batch of Pfizer doses to arrive Aug. 1.

5) Israel’s ministry of health reported a 64% efficacy of 2 dose Pfizer in June when #DeltaVariant dominant, compared to 94% just in May recently. That’s a big drop. Another 🇮🇱 study found 70% against delta. Hospitalization efficacy now 93% instead of 98%

https://twitter.com/drericding/status/1411973605609574401?s=21

6) I noted last week that this 3rd shot Israel 🇮🇱 MOH decision was forthcoming. #DeltaVariant just so aggressive that a 3rd shot needed for fuller protection. I also warned yesterday of vulnerable elderly.

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

7) Vaccines work well. But not perfectly. We still need to protect elderly and/or frail even if they are vaccinated. Avoid indoor gatherings amid #DeltaVariant surge even if vaccinated if you’re vulnerable — this is a great move by Mississippi— now where is the CDC’s guideline?

https://twitter.com/drericding/status/1414358182982557697

8) Please note— the #DeltaVariant is 4x more severe than other older strains. This study is from the Singapore Ministry of Health data. It also is more severe than Alpha variant, which was already more severe than original. we need to stop deluding ourselves about Delta.

https://twitter.com/DrEricDing/status/1414360616983220233