An Israeli study found that the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine against the coronavirus was 89.4 percent effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19.
While early evidence had shown that the coronavirus vaccines reduced the transmission of the virus and the incidence of disease, experts have warned that the question requires further investigation.
The study by Pfizer, BioNTech and the Israeli Ministry of Health was the first conclusive indication that a vaccine did indeed inhibit transmission, Bloomberg reported.
The study, which was posted in draft form and has not yet been peer-reviewed, also suggests that vaccination may prevent the spread of the virus by asymptomatic carriers, according to Bloomberg.
Israel has given more vaccines per capita than any other country, with nearly half of the country’s 9.05 million people being injected so far.
Israel began national rollout of the Pfizer vaccine on December 20.
During the period covered by the study, January 17 to February 6, 80 percent of the cases of the virus in Israel were a more contagious species believed to have originated in England. About 27 percent of Israelis aged 15 and older had been fully vaccinated through Feb. 6, which, according to Bloomberg, had received their second dose more than seven days earlier.
The Israeli Ministry of Health also said the vaccine was 98 percent effective in preventing symptoms such as fever and respiratory problems and 99 percent effective in preventing deaths or hospitalization, Reuters said.
Israel imposed a further lockdown after the English variant was discovered, but will lift several lockdown measures on Sunday, including reopening schools and most retailers. According to Reuters, the government has also premiered the ‘Green Pass’, an app that allows fully vaccinated citizens or people who have been vaccinated after recovery to show their credentials to stay in hotels or attend public events, Reuters said.