UK must start Covid booster jabs NOW as Delta deaths soar and vaccines wane, says Israeli expert
THE UK needs to start the Covid booster rollout NOW as Delta deaths increase and vaccines wane, an Israeli expert has warned.
Professor Eran Segal detailed how Israel is now experiencing a fourth wave, as it urgently dishes out booster shots.
The country had been well ahead of others in vaccinations, but now the protection given to the elderly and vulnerable is waning.
This was expected over six months on from the first injections being administered, but the spread of Delta is causing a rush of cases and deaths in Israel.
The UK has also been hit hard with Delta, as cases remain high and deaths have started to increase, but still remain low in comparison with earlier waves.
And Prof Segal has warned the British Government mustn't make the same mistake as Israel, and begin booster shots now.
He wrote for : "There is no question that Israel – the country that led the way with a Covid vaccine roll out for its nine million population – is now experiencing a fourth wave of infections.
"And, as is the case in several other countries such as France and Iran, it is deadlier than anyone predicted.
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"We are seeing the effectiveness of the double Pfizer/BioNTech jab – the vaccine most widely used in my country – waning six months after the second jabs were administered.
"That fact, and the spread of the much more infectious Delta variant, is the reason for a sharp rise in infections and hospitalisations especially among the elderly and vulnerable.
"Israel is responding with a vigorous programme of booster jabs and I believe our experience may have several implications for Britain and other countries.
"It would be wise to act now to prevent a deadly wave in the UK."
He added efforts to persuade anti-vaxxer's the jab is safe need to be doubled, and boosters for the elderly and vulnerable need to be decided upon.
The expert warned infection rates in Israel are steadily climbing towards to levels not seen since the January peak.
He detailed how scientists had called for vaccine-resistant citizens to get jabbed weeks ago - which he thinks would have stopped the fourth wave.
The country is now seeing around 9,000 cases-a-day - far less than the UK's current daily average, but the population is much smaller.
As the country first to vaccinate the majority of their population, Prof Segal said they are therefore the first to see the "impact of the waning effect".
He said it must serve as a warning bell for other nations, who can act fast.
British experts have said the waning of vaccine immunity is a concern, with Professor Lawrence Young calling Israel "the canary in the mine".
UK plans to get over-50s the extra shot are said to be ";on hold", as experts think only the most vulnerable should be on the list.
Earlier in the summer plans were drawn up for millions to get an extra vaccination in the winter, but now the numbers could be far less.
However sources said everything is still in discussion, with the recommendation potentially taking weeks.
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It comes after new statistics showed 95 per cent now have vital antibodies.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed a booster rollout would start in September, but added he was waiting for a “final opinion” from the JCVI.