Israeli expert says UK must start Covid booster doses now as Delta death toll rises and vaccines dip

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An Israeli expert has warned that the UK needs to start a boosted Covid release now as Delta deaths increase and vaccines decline.

Professor Eran Segal explained how Israel is now going through a fourth wave, urgently releasing booster shots.

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Experts are still deciding when to start doing booster buns for seniorsCredit: AFP

The country was ahead of others in vaccinations, but the protection afforded to the elderly and the frail is now dwindling.

This was expected over six months after the first injection given, but the delta spread caused a surge in cases and deaths in Israel.

The UK has also been hit hard by the Delta, where cases are still high and deaths are starting to increase, but still low compared to previous waves.

Professor Segal warned that the British government should not make the same mistake that Israel did, and should now start using booster doses.

He wrote to the Daily Mail: “There is no doubt that Israel – the country that led the way in releasing the Covid vaccine to its nine million people – is now suffering from a fourth wave of infections.

“And as in several other countries such as France and Iran, it is more lethal than anyone expected.

“We are seeing the efficacy of the Pfizer/BioNTech dual vaccine – the most widely used vaccine in my country – diminish six months after the second vaccinations are given.

“This fact, and the prevalence of the more contagious delta type, is the reason for the sharp rise in infections and hospitalizations, especially among the elderly and the frail.

“Israel is responding with a strong program of booster injections and I think our experience could have many implications for Britain and other countries.

“It would be wise to act now to prevent a fatal wave in the UK.”

He added that efforts to convince anti-vaccinators to be safe must be redoubled, and a decision must be made about boosters for the elderly and frail.

The expert warned that infection rates in Israel are steadily rising towards levels not seen since the January peak.

He detailed how scientists called on vaccine-resistant citizens to be stabbed weeks ago — which he believes would have stopped the fourth wave.

The country is now seeing around 9,000 cases a day – well below the UK’s current daily average, but the population is much smaller.

As the first country to vaccinate the majority of its population, Professor Segal said they were thus the first to see the ‘diminishing effect’.

It should serve as a wake-up call for other countries, which can act quickly, he said.

British experts said the waning immunity to the vaccine is causing concern, with Professor Lawrence Young describing Israel as “the canary in the mine”.

The UK is planning to get over 50, and the extra shot is said to be “on hold”, with experts believing only the most vulnerable should be on the list.

Earlier in the summer, plans were made for millions to get an extra vaccine in the winter, but now the numbers may be much lower.

But sources said everything is still being discussed, and the recommendation will likely take weeks.

This comes after new statistics showed that 95 percent now have vital antibodies.

The health minister, Sajid Javid, confirmed the start of implementation of the booster in September, but added that he was awaiting a “final opinion” from the JCVI.

UK Covid deaths rise by 113 more with 36,000 new daily cases as infections remain ‘stubbornly high’

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