Chris Joye made the below potent observations in Friday’s AFR regarding the protection offered by the Pfizer COVID vaccine against Delta strain:
The latest research from Oxford University finds that in the UK, the efficacy of Pfizer against delta halves to less than 50 per cent after four months. Indeed, at this juncture, researchers believe that Vaxzevria’s [AstraZeneca’s] protection against delta may be stronger, which is ironic given its brand damage.
This echoes findings in the US, where researchers found that Pfizer’s efficacy against symptomatic delta infection dropped to 42 per cent compared to 76 per cent with Moderna. Israeli researchers concluded that Pfizer was only 41 per cent effective against symptomatic infection, with that country now preferencing Moderna.
The above is a concern given Australia has chosen to use Pfizer as its primary vaccine with AstraZeneca demoted for use only on old people.
The differing situations facing the UK – which primarily used AstraZeneca – and Israel – which used Pfizer – highlights Chris Joye’s point.
Both nations has very high vaccination rates:
Highly vaccinated.
Cases have surged more in Israel:
Israeli infections worse.
Hospitalisations are worse in Israel:
Low hospitalisations.
Higher hospitalisations.
As are deaths:
Israeli COVID deaths higher.
Accordingly, Israel has begun giving booster vaccines for residents aged 60 and above, with the government approving booster shots to everyone aged 40 and above.
More than 1.3 million Israelis out of a population of 9.3 million have already received three doses of Pfizer.
Israel is a cautionary tale for Australia.
