Israeli Health Minister Says There Are Indications Of COVID-19 Vaccine And Booster Dose Protects From Omicron Variant

JAKARTA - There are indications that individuals who are fully vaccinated against the Coronavirus within six months, or who receive a booster dose are also protected against the Omicron variant, Israeli Health Minister, Nitzan Horowitz, said on Tuesday.

He said this after two new cases of the Omicron variant were identified, bringing the country so far to have a total of four cases of this new variant.

"In the coming days we will have more accurate information on the efficacy of the vaccine against the Omicron variant, but there is already room for optimism", he said.

"There are indications that those vaccinated with a valid vaccine or vaccinated with a booster will also be protected from this variant", Horowitz continued while visiting the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba with Finance Minister, Avigdor Liberman.

"This vaccine is very important at this time. Anyone exposed to a variant without a vaccine will be putting themselves at unnecessary risk", said Horowitz.

Later that evening, a report by Channel 12 said Pfizer's vaccine was only slightly less effective at preventing infection with the Omicron variant than the Delta variant, 90 percent versus 95 percent. While it was just as effective, about 93 percent, in preventing serious symptoms, at least for those vaccinated with the booster.

According to the report, the variant's ability to infect was higher than the Delta variant, but not as much as feared – about 1.3 times higher.

While at the same time, those who were not vaccinated against COVID-19 were 2.4 times more likely to develop serious symptoms, a significant number.

However, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health said the ministry did not yet have the data published by Channel 12.

Separately, Head of Public Health Services Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis said the first data on the efficacy of the Coronavirus vaccine against the Omicron variant is expected to be shared with Israel by South Africa on Tuesday. However, until now the ministry has not received this information.

"The biggest concern for us is the very rapid spread of this variant in South Africa", Alroy-Preis told the Knesset Foreign Affairs Committee, explaining how daily cases there increased from 200 cases to 2,000 cases in 10 days.

"From what we hear, those who are vaccinated have no significant symptoms, it's a mild disease, but for now the initial information. Today there will be the first data on the efficacy of the vaccine", he said.

In Soroka, Horowitz again said that the situation in Israel was under control and there was no need to panic.

"We will not shut down the country and will keep life as normal as possible. There is currently no intention of imposing any restrictions on life in Israel, and we will do everything possible to ensure this continues", he said.

Horowitz also stressed that the ban on foreign tourists is only temporary, and will not be automatically extended.

To note, the number of new cases in Israel remains stable. A total of 636 carriers of the new virus were identified as of Monday. The previous week there were 716. The total number of active cases on Tuesday stood at 5,600. In addition, there were 117 patients in serious condition, the lowest since July.