Israeli survey finds 3rd Pfizer vaccine dose has similar side effects to 2nd

According to an initial survey in Israel, most people who received a third dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine felt similar or fewer side effects than they did after receiving the second dose, as reported Fidelity on Sunday.

Israel recently began offering the booster doses to people over age 60 as part of efforts to slow the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant.

About 4500 people, all of whom received the booster dose from July 30 to August 1, responded to questions and were included in the survey.

Of the participants, 88% said that in the days after receiving the third dose, they felt "similar or better" to how they felt after the second dose.

Meanwhile, 31% reported some side effect, the most common being soreness at the injection site.

About 0.4% said they had from difficulty breathing, and 1% said they sought medical treatment due to one or more side effect.