13 Dec COVID-19: Pfizer Booster Dramatically Reduces Serious Infections in Israeli Study

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Arbel

Ronen Arbel, PhD
Outcomes Research, Community Medical Services Division
Clalit Health Service
Tel Aviv, Israel
Director, Maximizing Health Outcomes Research Lab
Sapir College, Sderot, Israel. 

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant and reduced effectiveness over time of the BNT162b2 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) led to a recent Coronavirus 2019 disease (Covid-19) resurgence in early vaccinated populations.

The Israeli Ministry of Health was the first in the world to approve a third (booster) dose of BNT162b2 to cope with this resurgence.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: In participants at least five months after a second BNT162b2 vaccine, Covid-19 mortality rates were ten-fold lower after a booster vaccine.

MedicalResearch.com: Did the type of vaccine or booster differ in outcomes?

Response: The study was limited to the Pfizer vaccine, the prominent vaccination in Israel.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: The booster is essential to protect from Covid-19 death if 5 or months have passed from your second Pfizer vaccine.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?

Response: The health authorities should monitor closely the waning immunity of vaccines, and advocate boosters if there is a drop in immunity. 

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: Get boosted- it may save your life. 

Citation: 

Arbel, R., Hammerman, A., Sergienko, R., et al. (2021). BNT162b2 Vaccine Booster and Mortality Due to Covid-19. The New England Journal of Medicine. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2115624. 

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Last Updated on December 13, 2021 by Marie Benz MD FAAD