Status: 16.09.2021 5:24 p.m.
In Germany, several federal states have already started third-party vaccinations against the coronavirus. A study from Israel now proves them right: The booster vaccination increases the vaccination protection in the elderly significantly.
A booster vaccination against Covid-19 apparently offers older people significantly higher protection against infection and serious illness. This is the conclusion reached a study published by researchers from Israel in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The study is based on data from more than one million people over the age of 60 and relates to the vaccine from BioNTech and Pfizer. In Israel it is now open to everyone to receive a booster vaccination five months after the second dose at the earliest.
Risk of serious illness 20 times lower
According to the results of the study, people over 60 who had only been vaccinated twice against the coronavirus had ten times more infections than those in this age group who had received the so-called booster vaccination. In addition, those who had been vaccinated twice were 20 times more likely to develop severe disease than those with triple vaccination protection.
With its vaccination campaign, Israel is one of the pioneers worldwide. In mid-December, the country began vaccinating against the corona virus. Less than four weeks later, 20 percent of the population had already been vaccinated, and in February the vaccinations were also approved for adolescents aged 16 and over. Israel finally started booster vaccinations in early August.
Effectiveness of up to 95 percent
But despite the progress in vaccination, the number of infections in Israel is rising again. The delta variant in particular is responsible for this. In their study, the researchers assume that the more contagious mutant and declining immune protection six months after a second dose can result in only 50 percent protection against infection. With the help of a booster vaccination, the effectiveness of the vaccine can be increased back to 95 percent.
“Very decent protective effect”
Carsten Watzl, Secretary General of the German Society for Immunology, is convinced of the results of the investigation. A third vaccination could also offer “a very, very decent protective effect” from his point of view. He therefore advocates a third vaccination for people over the age of 80 or for people over 60 with previous illnesses. However, Watzl also admits that the study from Israel does not show whether the booster vaccination causes side effects. So far, however, no more noticeable side effects from the third vaccination are known than with a twice administered vaccine dose.
Several federal states in Germany have also started to vaccinate a third time. So far, however, the booster vaccination should only be given to people over 80 years of age, risk groups or those in need of care. An official recommendation for the third vaccination by the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) is not yet available.