Britain and the US are just two of the countries currently experiencing a huge coronavirus disaster.
Britain has more hospitalizations than at the height of the March-April pandemic and in the US more than 125,000 people are hospitalized with COVID-19. Both countries have lost control over the spread of the disease.
Against the background of this medical emergency – which could lead to hospitals not being able to provide adequate care to patients who are at risk of heart disease, cancer and deadly diseases such as COVID-19, some voices in these countries have raised a very controversial proposal: extending it the proposed interval of three weeks between the two doses of the vaccine or skipping the second dose straight.
Israelis vaccinated against COVID-19 in Jerusalem, left and Tel Aviv
(Photos: EPA, AP)
This offer carries great risks. In the first place, it has not been proven that this proposal is safe and effective in clinical trials, which may make it more difficult for the public to get on board if given the chance.
Virologists and immunologists fear that administering only one shot of COVID vaccine will provide only partial protection against the pathogen.
According to Pfizer’s official test results, one dose of the vaccine offers only 52% protection against coronavirus over a period of ten days to three weeks.
Subsequent investigations have shown that these numbers may climb further, but cannot prove this with full certainty. Partial immunity can also enhance selective evolutionary pressure on the virus that will lead to the emergence of new variants that can bypass the vaccine.
Why then do the British and the Americans even think of implementing such a policy? Because they are in serious need.
The administration of the vaccine in Jerusalem
(Photo: Gil Yochanan)
One of the key figures in the White House Coronavirus Task Force, dr. Anthony Fauci, has already said that for the same reasons as mentioned above, he will not agree to the one-time policy, despite the sharp increase in cases in the US.
This proposal poses a major risk to public confidence in the vaccine. The people should know that the procedure is not influenced by political considerations or sophisticated manipulation of raw data.
The public should have as much certainty as possible in this vaccine that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The people need confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine before they go to get it. It is unacceptable that people who received the first dose, who are expecting a second dose, would now hear that the Ministry of Health – and not Pfizer – is ready to change policy and only contributes to the feeling of mistrust.
Under no circumstances should Israel find itself in such a state of desperation as Europe and the USA, whether it should tighten social distance measures or vaccinate high-risk groups at an incredible rate.
The government and the Ministry of Health must be consistent and focus on these major challenges, and not play risky games that stem from feelings of distress and desperation abroad.