3rd COVID shot highly potent in Israel's immunocompromised, early study shows

According to early results from research carried out at Beilinson Medical Center in Petah Tikva, the COVID-19 vaccine booster shot is highly effective among immunocompromised people, doubling the number of people who developed antibodies among patients who have received heart, lung or kidney transplants, The Times of Israel reported.

The initial results of the study found that 73% of those who previously received a kidney transplant developed antibodies and an immune reaction to the third dose, while 35% had developed antibodies after the second dose.

Among those who received a lung transplant, 33% developed antibodies after the booster shot, while 18% did so after the second shot. For those who received a heart transplant, 58% had an immune reaction, compared with 31% after the first two doses.

Meanwhile, a top expert said initial data being gathered in the healthcare system suggests the booster shots are generally helping prevent coronavirus infections.

Gabi Barbash, a former health ministry director, told Channel 12 news, that there would be better data on the booster’s efficiency toward the weekend and said if the figures "look as they do now," the health ministry would likely recommend people over 40 receive a third shot.

Israel began offering third doses to all adults with impaired immune systems last month.