I even had the 4th inoculation… Israeli minister ‘breakthrough infection’

Is the ‘second booster shot (boost shot)’ not as effective? A minister who received the vaccine four times in Israel, who was the first in the world to receive the fourth dose of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) vaccine, broke through the infection. Controversy is expected to intensify as opinions differ among health experts over the need for another booster vaccination.

According to Reuters on the 15th (local time), Israel’s finance minister, Avigdor Lieberman, posted the news on the social networking service (SNS) Twitter, saying he tested positive for COVID-19. “I’m fine and I’m going to self-isolate for a few days,” he said. It is not new now that a minister of the country is infected with Corona 19. However, Minister Liebermann completed his fourth vaccination on the 10th, five days ago, but was unable to avoid infection.

This breakthrough infection is expected to rekindle doubts over the effectiveness of the fourth vaccination. Israel, called a ‘vaccine leader’, has been at the forefront of introducing booster shots. In July of last year, the world’s first booster shot was administered, and from last month, the second booster shot was administered to people with weakened immunity. Starting this month, the target has been expanded to include seniors over the age of 60 and medical staff. Prime Minister Naphthali Bennett encouraged vaccination earlier this month, saying, “The number of antibodies in the fourth vaccine has increased fivefold in a week.” So far, the number of people who have completed the fourth vaccination has exceeded 500,000.

Concerns remain about Israel’s inoculation ‘speed war’. The Israeli Ministry of Health said that the first booster shot increases the effect around 7 days after vaccination, but data on the fourth vaccination were not disclosed. This means that the effectiveness of additional booster shots has not been proven yet.

Concerns about the safety of the fourth vaccination are growing in the international community. The World Health Organization (WHO) Vaccine Technical Advisory Group and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced on the 11th that, “The strategy of repeatedly boosting the existing vaccine is not sustainable.” It is pointed out that the situation of continuous vaccination is ineffective, and the short interval between vaccinations can put a strain on people’s immune system. Health experts are concerned that it could be damaged.

Heo Kyung-ju reporter fairyhkj@hankookilbo.com