Jerusalem: The fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccines increase antibodies to a higher level than third jab but only provide partial protection against the omicron coronavirus variant, according to a preliminary study conducted in Israel.
The peer-review study that has not tested the efficacy and security of the vaccine and analyzes whether the combination of vaccines from various producers will affect the level of increasing antibodies.
Researchers from the Sheba Medical Center in Israel gave a second booster shot in the trial to his staff, and studied the influence of the Pfizer booster in 154 people after two weeks and modern booster at 120 people after one week.
The initial results showed that one week after administration of the fourth dose of modern vaccines, the level of antibodies increased the same as those found one week after administration of the fourth dose of Pfizer.
The study also found that two weeks after administration of the fourth dose of Pfizer, there was further an increase in antibodies, a little more than measured after the first week.
Additional results show that the level of vaccine security is similar in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine.
“The improvement observed at the antibody level is slightly higher than the peak level observed after the booster dose is given – the third dose,” said Professor Gilli Regev-Yochai from the Sheba Medical Center.
“We understand that even though there is a significant increase in antibodies after the fourth vaccine, this protection is only in part to the omicron strain, which is relatively resistant to the vaccine,” said Regev-Yochai.
The researchers noted that vaccines, which are very effective against previous strains, less effective, less effective.
Against the omicron variant.
The fourth dose returns and even slightly exceeds the protection provided by the third dose, they said.
“Even though the vaccine we have today does not provide optimal protection against the infection with the omicron strain, it is true to continue vaccination, it is true to continue vaccination campaigns for risky populations,” Regev-Yochai added.