A large-scale Israeli study has highlighted the efficacy of the Pfizer BioNTech Vaccine in the prevention of symptomatic infections with the coronavirusClalit, the largest of the four Israeli health care providers, released a study Sunday comparing the infections in 600,000 Israelis who had received the vaccine, compared to 600,000 who had not been immunized.
The study found a 94% decrease in symptomatic infections and a 92% decrease in severe cases of the disease among the vaccinees. It stated that “vaccine efficacy is maintained in all age groups”, especially one week after the second dose of the vaccine.
The researchers said the preliminary findings of the ongoing study “are designed to highlight to the population yet to vaccinate that the vaccine is highly effective and prevents serious illness.”
Israel launched its COVID-19 vaccine campaign in December. Since then, more than a quarter of the population – 2.5 million people – has received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and more than 42% have received the first injection, according to the Department of Health.
The country of 9 million people, which is currently relaxing restrictions imposed during the third nationwide lockdown, is aiming to vaccinate everyone over the age of 16 by the end of March.
“The publication of preliminary results at this stage is intended to emphasize to the unvaccinated population that the vaccine is highly effective and prevents serious morbidity,” Clalit said on Sunday.
It added that the study involved people who had received the second injection at least seven days before being tested and would be expanded in the future.
“With each additional week that passes, we can make the assessment more accurate.”
Accuracy would improve if subjects were tested from the second dose after 14 days or more, he said.
The AFP contributed to this report.